I want to know how to prune a clematis. The clematis is called
"Clematis Henryi" that has large white flower and is blooming now in
my garden (zone-6, northern New Jersey). According to where I bought
it, this clematis is in group-2 that blooms in early summer (from last
year old growth) and fall (from this year new growth). Their on-line
instruction on pruning group-2 clematis tells me exactly "where" to
prune -- but it doesn't say "when".

I have searched this newsgroup, and I find this suggestion:

"Don't prune it except for deadwood, and do this in
late winter or early spring."

In other words, I should not prune out the living tissue. But I want
to prune it. The reason is that this clematis seems to grow up all the
way on the top of the trellis, and leave the lower 2/3 of the trellis
empty. I would like to encourage it to cover as much empty space in
the trellis as possible. If I prune it very hard to 1.5-ft near the
ground in late winter, I am hoping I may achieve this effect. But of
course I don't want to kill it or forgo any bloom in the process.

My questions a

- Can I prune it?

- Will I achieve the effect of covering the trellis if I prune it
hard?

- Does clematis growing on the top of the trellis have more to do
with lack of sun light and hard-pruning may not change its tendency?
The trellis is facing west against a wall and only get sun light from
noon to dusk.

Thanks in advance for any pruning tip or other suggestions.

Jay Chan

"Jay Chan" wrote in message
om...
I want to know how to prune a clematis. The clematis is called
"Clematis Henryi" that has large white flower and is blooming now in
my garden (zone-6, northern New Jersey). According to where I bought
it, this clematis is in group-2 that blooms in early summer (from last
year old growth) and fall (from this year new growth). Their on-line
instruction on pruning group-2 clematis tells me exactly "where" to
prune -- but it doesn't say "when".

I have searched this newsgroup, and I find this suggestion:

"Don't prune it except for deadwood, and do this in
late winter or early spring."

In other words, I should not prune out the living tissue. But I want
to prune it. The reason is that this clematis seems to grow up all the
way on the top of the trellis, and leave the lower 2/3 of the trellis
empty. I would like to encourage it to cover as much empty space in
the trellis as possible. If I prune it very hard to 1.5-ft near the
ground in late winter, I am hoping I may achieve this effect. But of
course I don't want to kill it or forgo any bloom in the process.

My questions a

- Can I prune it?

- Will I achieve the effect of covering the trellis if I prune it
hard?

- Does clematis growing on the top of the trellis have more to do
with lack of sun light and hard-pruning may not change its tendency?
The trellis is facing west against a wall and only get sun light from
noon to dusk.

Thanks in advance for any pruning tip or other suggestions.

Jay Chan

Pruning group 2 clematis can be pruned lightly in both late winter or early
spring as the new growth buds swell and again lightly after the first bloom
flush to encourage later blooming. Hard pruning in late winter will reduce
the size of the plant and delay blossoming until early to midsummer, but you
will get a heavier set of flowers. Clematis will grow towards sunlight, so
your reduction in size may not be very long lasting. I prefer to grow Group
2 clematis through a shrub or small tree, so that their 'naked' lower levels
are not as noticeable.

pam - gardengal

Pruning group 2 clematis can be pruned lightly in both late winter
or early spring as the new growth buds swell and again lightly
after the first bloom flush to encourage later blooming.

Seem like the key word is "lightly"; otherwise, the plant will delay
flowering as you mentioned.

Hard pruning in late winter will reduce the size of the plant and
delay blossoming until early to midsummer, but you will get a
heavier set of flowers. Clematis will grow towards sunlight, so
your reduction in size may not be very long lasting. I prefer to
grow Group 2 clematis through a shrub or small tree, so that
their 'naked' lower levels are not as noticeable.

Oh well... Seem like I have chosen the wrong type of clematis for the
trellis. But this probably is OK because I have already planted some
3-ft tall plants in front of the trellis to somewhat cover the empty
space in the trellis.

I think I will not bother to prune it. I probably should spend the
time pruning the roses instead of the clematis. OK, I guess I have one
less thing to do around the garden.

Thanks for answering my questions.

Jay Chan