I have several different clematis, about 10 or so. I just realized that they all have different pruning needs...Grouped as 1, 2 or 3. How confusing! I have Mrs. James Mason that I cut to the ground a couple of weeks ago, and now I find it to be in group 2, and I might have just ruined it - I need to research group 2 I guess - but is there a way to simplify all this? How do the rest of you handle your clematis?
Clematis confusion
If you can figure out how to navigate this site, there should be some good information there for you.
http://www.clematis.com.pl/wms/wmsg.php/57145.html
There is an excellent writeup on Wayside Garden's site covering 1,2,3 clematis and how to handle and prune them.
www.waysidegardens.com
shearpamela - I can certainly understand your confusion and fustration by planting various groups all together. Don't worry about cutting all the Clematis to the ground. That will increase the size of their root balls, which enable them to send up more vines, thereby giving your garden a full and lush look.
In the future when you plant Clematis, it is easier & less fustrating if you plant all the groups separately.
For your info:
Group 1 (no pruning necessary)
Group 2 (light pruning only)
Group 3 (prune hard to about 6" above the ground).
Hope this information helps!
Thanks! That makes it easier to understand :)