Clematis plants, including climbing vines and spreading varieties, feature large, colorful flowers. Growing them is fairly easy, but pruning clematis tends to instill fear in some gardeners. This fear is unwarranted, as pruning simply comes down to when your clematis blooms. Like many large-flowered garden species, clematis vines are usually pruned to encourage new growth and more flowers. Left unpruned, any growth (and new flowers) will remain confined to the tops or ends of the vines.
If you don’t know which pruning category your clematis falls into, watch the plant for a season to take note of when and how often it blooms.
As the end of summer approaches and cooler temperatures set in, it’s important to start thinking about preparing your clematis vines for the coming winter months Proper clematis care in the fall will ensure your plants survive the winter and put on a spectacular floral display when spring rolls around again
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through all the steps you need to take to properly care for your clematis vines in autumn. Follow these tips, and you’ll be rewarded with vigorous, healthy clematis that bloom prolifically year after year.
Pruning Clematis in the Fall
The first order of clematis fall care business is pruning. Clematis pruning techniques vary depending on the blooming habit of the variety you’re growing. There are three main types of clematis:
- Spring bloomers: Bloom only in spring on old wood grown the previous season.
- Repeating bloomers: Bloom in spring on old wood, then rebloom later in summer on new wood.
- Late season bloomers: Bloom in late summer/fall on new wood.
Knowing what type of clematis you have will determine the correct way to prune it in fall.
Spring Bloomers
For spring blooming varieties, pruning in fall or early winter will remove next year’s flower buds The only pruning you should do is removing dead or damaged stems. Leave any healthy stems intact, as these will produce flowers next spring
The ideal time to prune spring blooming clematis is right after flowering ends in early summer. This allows time for new growth to emerge that can mature and set flower buds for the following spring.
Repeating Bloomers
Repeating bloomers that flower in spring and again in late summer have similar pruning needs as spring bloomers You should not cut back healthy stems in fall because you’ll be removing wood that will bloom next spring
After the spring bloom finishes, prune repeating bloomers to shape and thin out overlong stems. This promotes new growth that will flower in late summer. After the late summer bloom, leave plants alone until spring.
Late Season Bloomers
Clematis varieties that bloom in late summer or fall on new wood are the exception – these can be pruned in fall. Cut stems back by at least a third to encourage an abundance of new growth in spring that will provide a flush of flowers in late summer/fall.
Overgrown Clematis
If you have a clematis vine that hasn’t been pruned in several years, refrain from cutting all the way back to the ground at once. This shock treatment could harm the plant. Instead, prune one-third to one-half of the oldest, thickest stems down to the ground this year. Next year, prune another third of the oldest stems, and so on over a three year period to rejuvenate your overgrown clematis.
Mulching Clematis for Winter
Mulching is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your clematis in fall. Apply a 4-6 inch layer of shredded bark, chopped leaves, straw or other organic mulch around the base of clematis plants. The mulch serves several important functions:
- Insulates the roots from temperature extremes
- Prevents repeated freezing and thawing of the soil
- Keeps soil evenly moist
- Suppresses weeds
- Feeds soil as it decomposes over time
When mulching, pull the mulch a few inches away from the crowns of the plants to prevent rotting. Replenish the mulch layer as needed in spring.
Supporting Clematis Vines
As fall winds pick up, it’s important to make sure your clematis vines are properly supported. Check that trellises and other supporting structures are securely installed and repair as needed.
Gently tie loose vines to supports to prevent whipping around in autumn winds, which can damage stems. Also ensure prune clematis foliage isn’t becoming entangled with other plants it’s growing on like shrubs or roses.
Watering Clematis in Fall
Your clematis likely won’t need any supplemental watering in fall if you receive adequate rainfall. The exception is during unseasonably warm, dry autumn weather where soils become very parched. Give plants a deep watering only if absolutely necessary.
Too much moisture on clematis this time of year can spur growth that is more susceptible to early frosts. Also avoid overwatering because wet soils heading into winter raise the risk of root rot issues.
Fertilization & Other Fall Clematis Care
When it comes to fall clematis fertilization and care, less is more:
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Avoid fertilizing clematis after summer ends. Fertilizing too late leads to lush new growth that is prone to winter damage.
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Don’t prune clematis vines for propagating or transplanting in fall. It’s best to take cuttings or divide plants in spring.
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Remove spent flowers through fall to neaten plants. But leave seed heads intact for visual interest.
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As temperatures drop, wrap late season bloomers to protect from early frosts. Remove wrappings in spring to avoid moisture buildup.
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For protection from brutal winter winds, construct a simple wooden slat or burlap screen on the windward side of clematis plants.
Ongoing Clematis Care
Some final tips for fabulous clematis beyond fall:
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In early spring, apply a balanced organic fertilizer or aged manure and work lightly into the soil. Repeat every 4-6 weeks until mid-summer.
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Provide support for vines to climb on such as a trellis, obelisk or fences. Grow through shrubs and small trees.
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Prune clematis right after spring flowering ends, no later than mid-June. Late season bloomers can be pruned in late winter before new growth begins.
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Water deeply and regularly during the growing season if rainfall is lacking. Established clematis are quite drought tolerant.
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Monitor for common clematis pests like aphids, slugs, earwigs, spider mites and Japanese beetles. Control with organic insecticidal soap, neem oil or hand removal.
With the proper care in fall and beyond, your clematis vines will thrive for years to come, rewarding you with their incredibly showy flowers. Just be sure to tailor your fall pruning, mulching, and care routines to your specific clematis varieties. Take time now to prepare your plants for winter dormancy, and they’ll leap into vigorous growth and flowering when spring arrives.
When to Prune Clematis Plants
The proper time to prune clematis plants depends on whether the plant flowers on growth from the previous or current season. The goal is to make sure you dont prune in a manner that eliminates or reduces the flowers, which is the main reason people grow clematis.
Clematis varieties that bloom on old wood should be pruned immediately after they are done flowering, which gives the plant plenty of time to grow new stems for next season. Varieties that bloom on new wood are best pruned when the plant is dormant—either in the late fall and winter or very early in the spring before new growth has begun.
Fall Clematis Care
FAQ
Should clematis be cut back in the fall?
Timing is important. Never prune in the fall. No matter where you live, it is best to let your clematis stay unpruned and dormant until spring.May 5, 2021
How do you prepare a clematis for winter?
Clematis winter preparation starts with snipping off spent blooms, also known as deadheading. Using sharp and clean garden scissors, cut off old blooms where they meet the stem. Be sure to clean up and dispose of all cuttings. Once the ground freezes or the air temperature drops to 25 degrees F.
Should I fertilize clematis in the fall?
Fertilizing in the spring and the fall will help to keep them healthy and blooming.Mar 7, 2024
Should you cut clematis back to ground?
Every variety, regardless of group, should be cut back to about 5 inches from the ground in late winter/early spring the first year after it is planted.
How do you care for a sweet autumn clematis?
You can keep the roots cool by applying two inches of mulch around the stem of the clematis. The mulch will aid in moisture control, prevent weed growth. Care for sweet autumn clematis: Mist the clematis leaves daily and water the roots.
How do you care for a clematis plant?
Water the clematis thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. – Ensure even moisture distribution by watering until water drains freely from the bottom of the pot. – Mist the wilting leaves regularly or place a humidity tray nearby to increase humidity levels.
How often should you prune Clematis?
As a general rule of thumb, prune large flowered hybrids of clematis at a slightly earlier time than the other varieties. Additionally, you can cut roots of the clematis back once a year in the early summer for containing the wild growth of the climbing vine. How do you keep clematis from growing too tall?