Pruning clematis. Trimming groups. Clematis of the second pruning group This means the pruning group for clematis
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When is clematis pruned? How to carry out this procedure correctly? What groups of clematis pruning exist? Let's talk about this in our article.
Pruning clematis - important work for caring for these plants. Sanitary pruning carried out periodically throughout the summer. In this case, dry and diseased shoots are removed. Pruning is also carried out in order to obtain abundant flowering bush and regulation of clematis growth. To do this, thin and weak shoots are removed in the spring.
However, it is of particular importance autumn pruning clematis before sheltering for the winter. It is carried out differently for plants different types and varieties.
According to the method of pruning, clematis are divided into three groups.
First group of clematis pruning
The first group of pruning includes clematis that bloom in late spring - early summer on the shoots of the previous year. For example, clematis: alpine, large-petalled, Siberian, mountain. Such species do not need shelter and do not need to be pruned before wintering. You can do light pruning immediately after flowering if the plants are too tall, as well as remove weak and diseased shoots.
Second group of clematis pruning
The second pruning group consists of Clematis groups Florida, Patens, Lanuginosa, which form flowers both on the shoots of the current year and on the shoots of the previous year. For such clematis, pruning is done twice, the first time - after the first flowering on last year's shoots, in May-June. At the same time, it is last year’s faded shoots that are cut out.
The second pruning is carried out in the fall, after the first frost, before sheltering for the winter. In this case, the strongest shoots of the current year are cut by a third, and thin, weak, diseased and dried out shoots are completely removed. After this, the shoots are laid in rings on the ground and covered.
Third group of clematis pruning
The third group includes clematis of the Jacqueman, Vititsella, and Intergrifolia groups. They bloom on the shoots of the current year, flowering lasts from July to September. Before sheltering, such clematis require severe pruning in order to obtain lush flowering next season. Pruning of such plants is carried out at a level of 2-3 nodes from the ground.
For young clematis in the first or second year of life, it is recommended to carry out severe pruning, regardless of which pruning group the species belongs to.
On herbaceous (Manzhchurian, direct, Texas) and semi-shrub (whole-leaved, hogweed) clematis, dead shoots are pruned before winter or in spring.
Luxurious blooming clematis can decorate the most unsuitable and unattractive area of the household. Exactly like this ornamental shrub you see in perspective when planting a seedling. But if you do not carry out timely, and most importantly, correct pruning- the vine transforms into a chaotic green weed.
General rules for pruning clematis
So that the plant pleases with lush and long flowering, it is necessary to contribute to the formation of its branched, full-fledged roots.
To do this, you need to radically trim the planted seedling, leaving 3 buds at the bottom. The vine of the crop is fast creeping. That is why after a few weeks it needs to be shortened again.
Experienced gardeners say that in the first year of life, the height of properly pruned clematis should not exceed 40 cm.
Did you know? The word "clematis" comes from the Greek klema, meaning liana. Among the people, the nickname “clematis” has firmly stuck to the shrub, probably due to the strong smell of dug up roots or bent seeds.
Caring for second-year plants depends on the type of clematis pruning. There are 3 groups, as well as seasonal, formative and sanitary.
Plants are always cared for with sharp tools. The cuts should be oblique so that water does not accumulate on them, approximately 7 mm above the buds. When starting a new bush, do not forget to disinfect the pruning shears.
If you maintain the growth of shoots correctly, within two years the fastidious crop will reward you with a multitude of flowers. Let's see what groups of clematis pruning exist.
Did you know? The flowering period of clematis can be extended by trimming the most powerful shoots.
First group of pruning, how to prune early flowering clematis
This includes fine-grained wild varieties, as well as "Macropetal", "Patens", "Armandi", "Montana", Jacqueman hybrids with large flowers, Texas and eastern clematis. They bloom on old branches from May to July. In spring they bloom on last year's branches.
Many gardeners claim that early flowering clematis do not need pruning. Caring for them comes down to removing old, damaged, dead or weakened shoots after the petals fall.
Overgrown bushes are trimmed without sparing. For clematis that grow near buildings, shoots no higher than 20 cm are left, for old plants - 50 cm. This procedure is done so that future inflorescences open at eye level.
If clematis of this group are not pruned in early spring, the plant will lose its shape and will continue to sprout only on the old vine.
As a result, its lower part will immediately become exposed and flowering will occur only on the upper sprouts, inaccessible to the eye. Beginning flower growers should not forget that with the help of pruning, you can adjust not only the shape of the bush, but also the arrangement of flowers.
When to prune
In the first two years of the growing season, clematis is pruned in the spring, and in the third year it is trimmed in the summer, when it has finished blooming.
If a young seedling has time to form strong shoots, then the first flowering is possible in August.
During January and February, all stems on second-year bushes are trimmed, leaving a growing point on each of them.
To prevent the plant from being spoiled by frost, it needs to be thoroughly mulched for the winter.
How to trim
For clematis of the first pruning group, you first need to shorten the main old branches attached to the supports by half. When the bush has finished flowering, cut the vine down to one pair of buds from where they formed.
Next year in June, it is important to remove those shoots that bloomed in the spring, leaving a few buds from the previous branching. Lianas of this group produce flowers on newly formed growths.
When pruning all clematis for the winter, the weak vines are removed and the bush is trimmed to no higher than 1 m. The plant must be covered.
Second group of pruning (early summer bloomers)
These plants bloom in spring on mature vines and in summer on young ones. This includes the varieties "Florida", "Lanuginosa", "Patens", woolly clematis and most hybrids that produce flowers in May - June, as well as in August - September. 
When to prune
Pruning group 2 clematis involves trimming them late autumn. It is best to use pruning shears in October – November. This is due to the fact that the ovary is formed on last year’s branches.
Trimming technology
It is believed that pruning clematis of the second group is troublesome. The first one in the season, starting from the second year, is very gentle. The bushes are trimmed in June, when the vine drops its flowers.
The shoots are cut off along with the fruit. After the second flowering, the branches are radically pruned, leaving no more than 1 m from the ground.
Important! Clematis of the second group are heavily pruned every five years for the winter to increase branching and splendor.
Third group of pruning: how to prune summer-blooming clematis
There are bushes of this group, probably, in every garden. There are variegated, oriental, and hybrid clematis of the varieties "Texensis", "Viticella", as well as numerous purple, large-flowered hybrids and even herbaceous species. 
Blue clematis, beloved by many, also belongs to the third pruning group. They all bloom from July onwards.
When does pruning begin?
Clematis of the third pruning group are treated with pruning shears once a year in the fall, because flowers appear the following summer on young shoots.
Pruning clematis plays quite a role important in agricultural technology for crop care. Throughout the entire season, you will have to resort more than once to the sanitary removal of all broken and damaged shoots, and in the fall you need to find time to do the most important pruning, which is a decisive factor in regulating plant growth and, moreover, affects its flowering.
At the same time, every gardener who has ever encountered this crop knows that there are three various groups clematis trimmings and each of them is important in its own way. However, in the first year of the growing season, pruning for all clematis is carried out absolutely the same way, and only starting from the second year of the crop’s life, gardeners begin to take into account the breakdown into certain groups.
First trim
As for the first pruning, it is carried out, so to speak, radically, namely to the first bud above ground level. At the same time, such a “trick” will help stimulate the development of new and “dormant” basal buds in the next year. The need for a second such severe pruning arises quite rarely, if in the second year of life the seedling still remains rather weak in development. In all other cases, you need to start solely from some features of pruning clematis. So, what are these methods, what are their features and fundamental differences from each other? It’s worth understanding, but, of course, in order!
Clematis pruning groups
“Sorting” clematis into pruning groups is quite simple and is related to the shoots on which certain varieties form their flowers. So, let’s say, some plants simply won’t be able to bloom if you cut off the shoots with buds in the fall. For them, it is preferable to just shorten the branches slightly or prune them immediately after flowering, that is, from May to June. In general, it is quite fair to note that the flowering period can be determined by the pruning period. If you cannot immediately determine which clematis pleases you in the garden, take a closer look at it and orient yourself by the time of its flowering, which will help you “open all your cards.”
Clematis 3 pruning groups
The third group includes all representatives of the Vititsella and Jacqueline groups, that is, summer-flowering plants. Moreover, color is observed only on shoots formed this year. Consequently, autumn pruning of such plants should be carried out thoroughly, when after the “procedure” only 2–3 nodes remain near the ground.
For the pruning process itself, you need to stock up on a fairly sharp pruning shears or a long knife, with which the shoots are cut so that the blade extends approximately 5 - 7 millimeters above the bud and, ultimately, their length from the surface of the ground is about 15 - 20 centimeters. There is no need to worry about the bush becoming too “bald”, since next year you will be able to see new buds on young shoots. It is especially important to thoroughly disinfect working tools before pruning each new bush.
Another feature that clematis of the 3rd pruning group have is the ease of constructing a shelter for the winter, because in this case you do not need to think about how to prune sensitive shoots until spring. This is probably why such plants have such an unprecedented distribution in all gardens and front gardens.
Clematis 2 pruning groups
This includes everything early plants, blooming in summer period- representatives of the Lanuginosa group, or simply woolly clematis, as well as certain varieties of the Florida and Patence groups. A feature of such plants is the formation of flowers, both on young and overwintered shoots. Moreover, the first buds are observed exclusively on “old” branches and only in last days In summer, flowering can also be observed on young shoots.
Pruning of such plants is usually done quite gently and best time Late autumn is the time for such a procedure. As for the height at which it is worth getting rid of “extra” shoots, here gardeners have somewhat different opinions - some recommend cutting branches at a level of 50 - 100 centimeters from the ground, while others simply insist that this figure vary from 100 - 150 centimeters. Here you will have to make the choice yourself and find the “optimal” shoot length for yourself. In any case, after pruning, all healthy lower and fully mature shoots must be carefully laid on the ground and covered well. If the clematis bush really needs rejuvenation, it is permissible to trim it a little more, but only to the first true leaf and no more. At the same time, you can completely get rid of all weak and dead shoots without hesitation.
The first pinching for representatives of the second pruning group (clematis Westerplatte, Ashwa, Piilu, Multi Blue) is carried out at a level of 20 - 30 centimeters from the ground. The second similar procedure is usually done after all shoots have grown at a height of 50 - 70 centimeters, and the last grafting should be done even higher - at 100 - 150 centimeters.
Clematis 1 pruning group
Representatives of the Patens and Florida groups, spreading and flowering, respectively, give color exclusively on overwintered shoots, and it is for this reason that autumn pruning should consist only of removing non-woody and weak shoots. The remaining branches are only slightly shortened, removing approximately one third of their length, leaving shoots no longer than 100 - 150 centimeters. After this, the lash should be slightly rolled up and laid on the ground, making a thorough covering.
At the same time, it is worth noting that Florida and Patens are quite capricious in winter, so it is quite important to wrap the plants well in order to prevent the possibility of flower buds freezing. Otherwise, the plants simply will no longer be able to please you with their beautiful and very abundant flowering. Of course, there is a lot of hassle, but at the same time, you need to remember that only such varieties as President and others can surprise gardeners with beautiful, very large and often double flowers. So, as they say, there is an incentive!
Combined pruning of clematis
It should be noted that quite often gardeners can carry out combined pruning, which consists of severe pruning of bushes, which is carried out at 1 - 2 internodes from the ground. At the same time, all remaining shoots should be cut somewhat weaker - by about 10 - 12 nodes.
The advantage of such pruning is the onset early flowering on last year's poorly pruned shoots, which is later observed on young branches. We will use this type of pruning exclusively for hybrid clematis, and the resulting ways of connecting plants with different pruning groups. In addition, using this “scheme” you can “cut” a seedling if you cannot determine its group for sure. The use of combined pruning on adult plants is the key to the gradual rejuvenation of their vines. For this purpose, shoots older than three years, immediately after the first flowering, are cut off quite heavily.
Regardless of what kind of clematis pleases your eye, you have absolutely no fear of pruning, since this procedure can in no way harm the plant, because even radical “haircuts” should be carried out at a certain interval. If you carried out such a procedure a little earlier, there is nothing wrong with that!
Clematis are considered to be the absolute favorites of gardeners. Thanks to a wide range of colors, sizes and shapes of flowers, they can transform any area. Of all the diversity, there are 3 groups that differ in some nuances of care, in particular, the method of pruning. The last of them includes species and hybrid clematis, varieties and photos of which are presented in the article. Detailed description and characteristics, as well as reviews experienced flower growers will allow you to get more information about these plants.
Classification of clematis
Currently, about 300 species of clematis and more than 2000 varieties have been described. Some species are completely different from each other. Among them there are shrubs, subshrubs, and herbaceous perennials. However, in amateur gardens, liana-like plants are most widespread.
Several classifications of clematis are known, but the most convenient for amateurs is the distribution into pruning groups, namely:
- Group I - clematis, in which flower buds are formed only on last year’s shoots;
- Group II - clematis, capable of forming flower buds twice per season. The first time in May-June on the shoots of the past year, the second time at the end of summer on the regrown shoots of this year;
- Group III - clematis, in which flower buds are formed only on shoots that have grown again this year.
Each presented group, accordingly, requires different pruning.
- Clematis of group I need only periodic rejuvenation, when weak, dried or woody shoots are removed after flowering;
- In representatives of group II, after the first flowering, part of the old shoots is cut out along with the resulting infructescences. They are pruned a second time in the fall, leaving shoots 50-100 cm long.
- All clematis shoots Group III almost completely cut out for the winter. Only 2-3 pairs of buds are left.
Attention! When purchasing clematis seedlings, be sure to clarify which pruning group it belongs to. young plant. Without determining group affiliation, you can greatly shorten those shoots that cannot be cut at all, or leave unnecessary ones. As a result, clematis will either not bloom at all, or its flowering will be very weak.
What varieties and species belong to group 3
Pruning group 3 includes most varieties of clematis found in gardens. These are branched vines with long (4-6 m) shoots and a strong root system.
Jacquemin's group. Enough large plants, reaching a height of 2-4 m depending on the variety. On sunny place The vine does not grow as long as in partial shade, but the flowering is much more abundant. The leaves of Jacquemman's clematis are complex, with 3-5 leaflets. The flowers open fully and can be of different shades. Large in size - from 8 to 20 cm in diameter.
The varieties belonging to this group form buds only on new shoots of the current year. At the end of autumn they are heavily pruned. Popular varieties this group:
- clematis Bella - has short shoots (up to 2 m) and star-shaped flowers white. Its flowering period is from July to September. Very winter hardy.
- Rouge Cardinal - the length of the shoots is the same as the previous variety. Petals of cross-shaped flowers purple. Blooms in midsummer. It is better to cover it for the winter.
- Gipsy Queen is a vine up to 3.5 m, forming a massive bush. The bright purple petals practically do not fade in the sun.
Viticella Group- represented by varieties with purple flowers different color intensities. They can be either open or drooping. The diameter of the flowers is 10-20 cm. The shoots of this group grow very quickly and reach a length of 3-3.5 m. Some varieties of the group:
- Viola - the height of the bush reaches 2.5 m. The flowers are open. Their color is dark purple with purple veins.
- Ville de Lyon - shoots up to 3.5 m long. Carmine-red petals fade in the sun. Flowering is long and abundant. Each shoot can produce up to 15 buds.
Advice. For clematis, it is better to use a vertical mesh as a support. So they will look like living wall, strewn with flowers on both sides.
Integrifolia Group. This species is not able to cling to support on its own. The height of the bushes is about 2.5 m. The flowers are drooping, have the appearance of bells and a variety of colors. Clematis Durana is considered one of the most beautiful in this group. A rapidly growing shrub with simple, ovate leaves. The flowers, most often consisting of 4 petals, are open, drooping, and medium-sized. The color of the petals is deep purple, the anthers are yellow.
Tangutika Group- a very tall, 3-4 m vine, covered with orange-yellow, small (3-10 cm in diameter) drooping flowers that look like physalis. Prefers bright lighting. Blooms from June to September.
Texensis Group- one of the most beautiful clematis. The flowers, consisting of 4 petals, have the shape of a jug and do not open completely. Color range - red, pink, purple.
Eastern clematis- a very long vine (4-6 m). In July-August it is covered with yellow, pubescent flowers consisting of 4 petals. Shaggy, decorative fruits become a wonderful garden decoration in the fall.
Reviews from fans
Flower growers speak of group 3 as very beautiful clematis, resistant to diseases and adverse weather. It is recommended to sow low annuals around the base of the vine, which will shade the root zone and prevent the plant from suffering during hot periods.
Clematis can be called the most beautiful of the representatives of the buttercup family. Each of its types can become the main accent of the garden. And you shouldn’t be afraid of difficulties in growing at all. The main thing is to figure out which group the plant belongs to and provide it with proper care.
Pruning clematis: video