Clematis are fabulous plants for providing vertical colour on walls, fences, ornamental obelisks and through the branches of trees and shrubs. For the best display you'll need to prune plants annually - here's how.
What to do
Evergreen clematis and those that bloom before early summer on old wood need minimal pruning. After flowering remove dead or dying branches and prune to keep within bounds.
Clematis varieties that bloom twice - in early summer and again in late summer, should have dead and dying branches removed in late winter, cutting back to a healthy pair of buds.
Prune varieties that flower in early summer in late winter, cutting plants hard back to a healthy pair of buds formed during the previous season. Aim to leave short stems about 45cm above the ground.
Prune herbaceous varieties to ground level from late autumn to early spring.
Tie new stems to supports with twine.
Feed after pruning by raking a general purpose granular fertiliser into the surface and then mulching with well rotted manure or leaf mould.
