Clematis are a popular perennial vine that can be susceptible to frost and require proper care during winter for their health and prolific flowering. To ensure their growth, provide adequate water, protection from elements, and structural support. Winter care of clematis plants includes deadheading, cutting back vines, mulching, adjusting water, and providing protection if needed for your climate.
In winter-pruning, cut back all stems to 30cm above ground and place mulch around the base of the plant to insulate the roots and protect them from winter weather. A thick layer of mulch, approximately 4-6 inches deep, is recommended to keep the plant warm and protected from the cold. Most wood, plastic, resin, metal, or fiberglass pots should tolerate an extended freeze.
Clematis vines like cool conditions around their roots, so plant the base in light shade or provide shading with other plants or a dressing of pebbles. A top-dressing of compost mulch of organic material in a circle up to 2′ around its roots is also appreciated. In the appropriate season for your type of clematis, lightly prune to ensure good circulation around the plant.
Clematis are hardy perennial vines that can tolerate the cold, as well as ground freezing and thawing. The International Clematis Society recommends that all clematis be hard pruned in the first year of planting, which benefits the initial growth and development of your new clematis. With proper care, your clematis will thrive through winter dormancy and return with an abundance of blooms next season.
📹 Caring for clematis – Golden Rules
Expert advice on how to care for clematis, including tips on pruning, watering and feeding. Watch more Golden Rules videos on …
How do you grow clematis in the winter?
Clematis is an evergreen climber plant that grows up to 3 meters tall, with dark green foliage and small, nodding, urn-shaped flowers. It can be a deciduous or evergreen shrub or herbaceous perennial, with a distinctive twining leaf-stalk structure. Clematis can be grown in well-drained gritty soil in full sun with shelter, and can be propagated by layering or semi-hardwood cuttings. It can be pruned, but it may be susceptible to pests and diseases. Clematis can be grown in a cold greenhouse or conservatory, and its growth requires a dry winter mulch.
What is the lifespan of a clematis?
Clematis plants can live anywhere from 10 to 50 years, depending on the species and variety. Some species, like Clematis montana, are known for being particularly long-lived. Most clematis can live between 25-50 years depending on growing conditions and health, so 30 years is likely about right. Clematis, also known as the “queen of climbers”, is a popular choice for gardeners due to its stunning flowers and ability to cover trellises, fences, and walls.
Understanding the lifespan of clematis plants and the reasons they might die can help maintain healthy, thriving plants. By understanding the factors that could cause a plant to die, gardeners can maintain healthy, thriving plants.
Should I cut my clematis down to the ground?
To prune clematis, cut back to just above a strong pair of leaf buds about 30cm above soil level, encouraging multiple stems to support for good coverage. In February or March, cut back all old stems to the lowest pair of healthy buds 15-30cm above soil level. Selected clematis can produce flowers or decorative seedheads every month of the year. Pruning groups are based on flowering times, so it’s best to prune after flowering in mid to late spring when there’s little frost risk.
What happens if you don’t cut back clematis?
Regular pruning of clematis is crucial for maintaining strong growth and flowering, as unpruned clematis can turn into a mass of tangled stems with bare bases and flowers above eye level. Established clematis are divided into three main pruning groups, with Group 1 consisting of early-blooming clematis that require no regular pruning except for removing faded flowers. If renovation is needed, plants can be cut back to 15cm (6in) after flowering, but this operation will affect flowering and should not be repeated within three years.
Should you cut back clematis in winter?
Pruning Group Three clematis involves pruning late winter, removing dead growth above the ground, and cutting back to just above a healthy new bud. With a vigorous plant, one or two stems can be left unpruned for different flower heights. This method is suitable for Clematis viticella, Clematis jackmanii, Clematis tangutica, and Clematis texensis. For more Group Three clematis to grow, refer to the Grow Guide.
When to feed clematis winter beauty?
Clematis ‘Winter Beauty’ requires frequent feeding and watering to maintain moist soil conditions. It flowers in early spring on the previous year’s growth and should be pruned in summer after flowering. Remove damaged or dead stems before cutting back remaining stems to healthy buds. Seeds and garden supplies are typically delivered within the specified time period for planting or potting on. Delivery charges for packets of seed are £2. 99. Delivery times are stated on the product page, order acknowledgement page, and email.
Do clematis go brown in winter?
Clematis can appear brown and dead after a long winter, making pruning a challenge. It’s essential to know when your clematis blooms to determine the appropriate time, what, and how much to prune. Spring-flowering clematis (April-May) flower on their old wood, and pruning before flowering removes their blooms. Once flowering is finished, old stems can be cut back in early summer, allowing new growth to ripen.
The second group of clematis flower on short stems produced on last season’s old wood, such as early large-flowered hybrids, double and semi-double flowers, and mid-season hybrids. Pruning is light, but remove dead, broken, or weakened stems. Avoid removing vines at the plant base with flowering buds higher up.
The third group of clematis only flower late in the season, well after mid-June and into autumn. Pruning involves cutting back all the previous year’s growth to just above a good pair of buds, about 10 to 12 inches above ground. Hybrids in this category include Jackmanii and Clematis viticella cultivars.
Will clematis survive a freeze?
Petitti posits that evergreen trees are an appropriate choice, but popular flowering plants such as lilacs, wisteria, and clematis should be protected from freezing temperatures, which could otherwise cause their flowers to wilt.
What do I do with my clematis in the winter?
Clematis winter preparation involves deadheading spent blooms and placing a generous layer of mulch around the base of the plant once the ground freezes or the air temperature drops to 25 degrees F. (-3 C.). This can be done using straw, hay, manure, leaf mold, grass clippings, or commercial mulch.
Overwintering clematis plants in pots is possible even in the coldest climates. If the container cannot tolerate freezing temperatures, move it to a place where it will not freeze. If the plant is healthy and in a freeze-safe container, no mulch is needed. However, if the plant is not healthy or not planted in a freeze-safe container, provide mulch around the outside.
Collecting leaves from the yard in the fall and placing them around the pot to protect the plant is crucial. It is important to wait until the pot has frozen before placing the mulch bags. The freeze-thaw-freeze cycles do not harm the plant, but the freeze-thaw-freeze cycles do.
Bring your garden indoors with the DIY eBook “Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter” to ensure a successful winter care for your clematis.
What is the lowest temperature a clematis can tolerate?
Clematis are capable of withstanding freezing temperatures, with some cultivars exhibiting a degree of frost tolerance down to -30°F (-34°C). While they can be cultivated in warm climates, some evergreen species display reduced tolerance. In order to provide nourishment, it is recommended that a layer of rich compost or rotted manure be applied over the root zones in the early spring. The recommended planting distance is 3 inches on each side, with a 3-inch gap between plants.
Will my clematis come back after winter?
To prevent clematis from re-appearing, you can either wait and water the spot, which may not need much water, or snip the clematis if there is no crown present at or near ground level. Many clematis disappear for a year and reappear the next spring, and some have reappeared after four or five years. If you can tolerate the wait, wait a year or longer. If you don’t want to wait a year or more, remove the clematis without fear of being called the Plant Police.
📹 How to Grow, Train & Prune Clematis//Get MORE🌺🌺FLOWERS Twice in the SAME YEAR!
How do I plant my clematis? When and How do I prune it? Listen in as David answers these questions and more. Clematis, often …
I know I will always find the answer to the question I’m seeking if I go to one of your articles. Plus getting to listen to your enchanting accent. I would like to suggest to you, and every other person making gardening articles, that a clear, lingering shot of where you’re cutting, is invaluable. Thank you for all the help you’ve given me over the years.
OMG! Thanks David!👍🏾 I have a Beautiful Clematis on a light pole in front of my house that I planted 4 yrs ago. It has never had full Beautiful blooms until this Late Spring. Simply Gorgeous!! The only thing I did different was that I left it alone all winter. Usually I trim it back to the ground for a better appearance. It was ugly all winter…but I just ignored it 😆. Thanks for your article! I think I now know how to treat this particular Clematis. I will lightly prune after it finishes flowering. Thanks again David🍃🌱🌿💚
Such a wonderful tutorial! Really enjoyed the back story on cultivars, the cutting hole in fence and the rock part all news to me 😉 50 plus years ago a woman with the same wonderful accent turned to me and said if it’s growing on a lattice it must be a Clematis, while not always true it stuck in my head along with all wonders of the garden. Please make more articles I’ll be perusal them all! Thank you
There are three groups in which clematis are generally categorized in terms of their blooming period which in turn determines how and when they are to be pruned, especially in cold climate areas. I believe the ‘General Sikorski’ variety falls in either the second or third group. Thanks for the lovely article!
Greetings from the great Pacific Northwest, Lakewood, Washington! (just south of Seattle.) I see this article was recorded 3 years ago, but this is so well done, it will be relevant for a long time! I have subscribed to your website, because I really enjoyed your presentation of one of my favorite plants … the Clematis. (I could easily grow 100 of them and of course 100 David Austin Roses and such.) I love your laid back way, and you gave us loads of some names I’d not seen before. I could easily listen to you all day. Your garden is lovely and I look forward to exploring more articles on your website. I will also visit your website. Thank you again for your content, David! I appreciate you. Blessings from Western Washington! 💛🖤💛 Stacy
Excellent article. Especially you showing the pruning. I never know how to prune correctly my bushes. No one really shows that, just the after picture. Well that’s no help to a beginner. I have cut back the life of some of mine because I had no idea, also, don’t think because you ask someone at a nursery how to prune know the answer. I think the ones I asked were just guessing🤷♀️🤦♀️
Great story! Thanks. I have a Clematis Paniculata (white, and blooms in the fall) growing up my trellis at tree, however outgrew, so I tied a pair of panthose around those onto the tree. I also planted one in a pot (Purple Jackmanii) but will definitely transplant with one by tree. 2 different blooming cycles, ofcourse! When I planted in container, I most certainly added medium sized pebbles in the bottom before soil, understanding their cool roots! Thanks for info on pruning. Appreciated 💜💚
Fab article, thanQ. xxx I have identified a Clematis in my garden, that sprung UP a metal flower rod/frame OVERNIGHT! I can’t believe how fast it’s growing! Will train it up my fence. Can’t wait to see what colour it is. Having so much fun in my garden…. Gone from killing house plants to growing roses etc. Blissed out! x
Great hint for getting clematis to rebloom, but when do I cut my clematis down (if I should) for the season? Im in zone 6 and we can get snow from Oct thru March. I have 5 year old plants that Ive never pruned except to deadhead the seedheads and all the plants have been loaded with flowers every summer, but now they are huge and Id like to cut out some of the dead growth. Thank you kindly.
Thank you so much. I just planted one of those deep purple Clematis – a tiny plant that fit into my hand. After perusal your article, I promptly went outside, placed a good layers of mulch, applied a little fertilizer and watered it in very well. I gathered some large stones and placed them around the Clematis feet. I think I will have a beautiful plant climbing up my fence.
Thank you, great content! I have a Jackmanii clematis planted at the base of a rambler rose. The 3rd year the vine accidentally got wacked to ground level and since then has been a showstopper. I do prune it and it gives 2 or 3 bloomimgs per summer. The rose supports the vine very well and is in bloom when the vine finishes flowering. In north Texas, mulch and water are essential.
I’ve had a stunning, large white Henryi for many years. Last year it turned black & I thought I’d lost it to a blight. Luckily it’s come back, but so far, see only one vine at about 2′ high, now nearing the end of April in Z5B/ USA. I’m wondering if I should go beyond cutting off the old black vines, by digging it up, relocating it, & giving it a feeding, in case there are spores in the soil. It had been enjoying its location at the corner of an East facing wall & a South facing wall, where it bloomed at the same time as its neighbors. It’s been given shade at its roots & has been free to grow as high as it likes, while twining up & hiding electrical & cable lines for me. Up until last year, it had been always vigorous & covered in huge white blooms once a year. I didn’t cut the old vines, in spring, thinking the new growth would have the old vines to grow along with, as they all filled with leaves & then flowers. Next to it, on the East wall, is a boisterous, arching Weigela with green leaves & coral/pink/red trumpets. At it left, on the South facing wall, a native here in MA, A large Mountain Laurel, whose blossoms are white clusters of unique cup shaped blossoms with a slight pink cast. Is it possible that it became vulnerable to a blight, due to overcrowding? I’d let it sprawl all over the nearby shrubs, though most of its vines vines were spanning the space between those shrubs. Your yard is perfectly lovely, & I appreciated your tip for using chicken wire painted black, & your reasoning for removing the seedheads.
What a great program. I live in SC, my clematis is in a large planter, just had a nice bloom, but not as many as your plants, I have now started to feed my clematis an organic fertilizer(3-3-2) My question is, When the plant is done for the year, do you cut the whole plant back?, Or do you leave it alone .Since it is so hot here in the late spring early summer, I’ve learned from you that mulching is important. Would I be better off putting plant in the ground? So many questions, so little time! LOL!! My plant is growing along my fencing should I cut it back by 1/3 now? or wait?, Any help would really be appreciated! Thanks, Patricia
Oh ..beautiful..thanks. I have a very old well established clematis on our lamp post. However it’s not able to climb as there’s nothing for it to cling to (ie chicken wire) as you stated. Each year I try and wind green garden twine in between large clumps and draw them up. But before long they slide down again. Do you suggest taking all the twine away and separating the clematis as much as possible, put up the chicken wire and hope it will attach itself? Thanks ❤️
I was hoping you would show how to prune back my miniature clematis for the winter. I have what looks like woody vines coming from the ground and vine clear up my trellis, but I am afraid to cut those out. I live in Oregon, so get very mild frost occasionally in the winter. I have three very young plants, but they climb up at least 10 feet high on each of my three trellises on my porch each year. Do I completely trim those “dead” stems to the ground at the end of summer?
So Beautiful. I don’t have a lamppost but I was thinking it would be so Stunning growing on my metal porch posts. We have a Great nursery in Brownstown,MICHIGAN Called Ruhlig Farms I go there at least 10 times during the Spring and Summer months. They have such an array of Gorgeous Flowering plants and Vegetables and Herbs And unusual plants and so healthy too. I spent hours in that store just circling that nursery, picking out the perfect plant. I don’t know why it bugs me, when I watch some people just grab anything with giving it a thought and grab the most scraggly and weak plant. I like to say there is better ones over there and but there is some people you can suggest that too and some people you can tell to stay away from 😠😠 Thank you so much for for such a Great inspiration and lessons learned. Sincerely Patricia Ann Griggs 👧💚💚💚
David, thank you for the step by step information! Love your beautiful clematis and the chicken wire suggestion. In the middle of the article, you mentioned about Clematis growing on trees and shrubs. Does it do so without wire/trellis or do we need to create one if growing on trees too? We just cut down a 8 feet wide beech tree & left a 12 feet high stump standing. I am sick to my stomach for having to take down the tree & was wondering if I can plant a couple clematis plants around it – the tree can support it for few years, the clematis will avoid stump from being an eyesore and my guilty heart will have some compensation. Are there any other vines that you would recommend? The tree is in the woods.
Great article, I love your yard! Mine seem to flower okay but they grow thin at the bottom and huge cluster up top and that’s where I seem to get all my flowers, they don’t go all the way down the vine like yours are. I thought maybe my trellis was too short so I got a taller one this year but haven’t had the time to see if that makes a difference since it was already starting to grow. Would it be better to put chicken wire behind the trellis? It’s the kind that has large squares so maybe they don’t have enough things to latch onto on the way up? Do you also cut it back down to the ground for winter or leave it? Thanks for any advice!
I have had my plant quite a few years, probably close to 10 years. It blooms beautifully in early summer as I have it climbing up a step ladder I put in the flower garden. I have never pruned it after it blooms, but I will from now on so it blooms again. the bottom of my plant never has leaves and looks like dead wood. I’m afraid to cut them because I’m afraid of killing it. My question is, is it normal to be like that?