Group 3 Clematis: Proper pruning, blooms only at top.

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I have 'Polish Spirit', this is year 3.

1st year: didn't prune(it was just a scraggly twig and leaf, let it grow good roots),

2nd year: Didn't prune to see how it might act even though i knew it was group 3, flowered at top only.

3rd year: Hard pruned early spring to within 1 foot of strong healthy buds: Still only flowered on top 2-3 feet.

It gets 6+ hours of afternoon sun and has vigorous lush growth, it is in fact my lushest clematis. Is there a way to coax more flowers from the ground up? Or is it simply how Viticella's grow? I have other classes on the same wall, same exposure that flower nicely, so the sun doesn't appear to be the problem, but could be? I do have another Viticcella that gets more sun, same group, same lush growth still mostly flowers on top 2-3 feet

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
You should have started off with the hard pruning the very first season!! Hard pruning early on for any type of clem encourages a strong root system and additional basal stemming (which is always encouraged).

Type 3's flower on the current season growth and some are very vigorous growers. And flowers will always be produced at the terminal ends of any stems = flowers concentrated at the top of the vine. Prune established 3's back in winter to the second set of leaf nodes from the soil line or to about 12-18 inches. And for a fuller look, you can prune down some stems even after leaf out so their growth will not be as tall that season.
MaritimeCheyenne(Zone4) thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
MaritimeCheyenne(Zone4)
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you for the advice!

All new clematis get proper treatment, this one was my first clematis and wasn't treated properly at planting, despite this it has still been very floriferous with lush greenery, it's quite a monster compared to some of the other varieties.

cheers
Related Professionals
Saint Joseph Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Salt Lake City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · El Dorado Landscape Contractors · Gulfport Landscape Contractors · Jamestown Landscape Contractors · Providence Home Builders · Kansas City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Brattleboro Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Clearlake Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Lawton Landscape Contractors · Sioux City Landscape Contractors · Middletown Design-Build Firms · Bangor Design-Build Firms · Jackson Design-Build Firms · Edmonton Design-Build Firms