Comments on: Clematis Pruning: The Early Years https://www.scottarboretum.org/clematis-pruning-the-early-years/ Wed, 27 Aug 2025 21:45:10 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 By: Becky Robert https://www.scottarboretum.org/clematis-pruning-the-early-years/#comment-1328 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:14:38 +0000 http://gardenseeds.swarthmore.edu/gardenseeds/?p=6532#comment-1328 In reply to Cheryl.

Other than being leggy if the plant is healthy feel free to prune all canes back to 18 inches. Being careful to leave at least one pair of healthy buds on each cane. Late February or early March before the leaf buds begin to expand is the ideal time to do so. Clematis are typically very forgiving to harsh pruning. Pruning a mature plant in this manner may cause you a bit of anxiety but don’t worry. When I move or divide a mature plant I typically cut it back in this fashion. By pruning this way it will stimulate the plant to branch near the base. You may even get a few new shoots from below ground. Fertilize and water it well this growing season and it will bounce back in no time.

Adam Glas, Scott Arboretum Gardener

]]> By: Cheryl https://www.scottarboretum.org/clematis-pruning-the-early-years/#comment-1327 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 15:12:10 +0000 http://gardenseeds.swarthmore.edu/gardenseeds/?p=6532#comment-1327 What if you miss this three year window? Is there any way to prune it if it is already leggy?

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