By pruning you control size, keep the plant trained to its armature, and create the space for new growth to replace old wood. Clematis queries came thick and fast in the wake of my advice on the pruning of Clematis montana. Clematis are divided into 3 groups or categories for pruning purposes, a lot of people worry about pruning their clematis, but it is very simple if you follow the guide lines below... Group 1 (e.g Alpina, Montana, Armandii) These are mostly the early spring varieties that flower on previous year's growth. rubens ‘Elizabeth’ in moist but well-drained soil in full sin to partial shade. Just clean them up after flowering. Prune them immediately after they finish flowering. Group A: Early Flowering Clematis These clematis flower in late winter to early spring on last year’s stems. When to prune a clematis? But when and how do you go about pruning a plant notorious for its tendency to gallop away into a tangled mess? Clematis fit into three pruning categories: early flowering, late flowering and large … Prune the vigorous evergreen Armandii clematis (Group A) right after flowering in spring. Montana clematis are very resistant to clematis wilt. Simply remove dead or damaged growth after flowering. When pruning clematis, secateurs can be rather cumbersome and their thin stems get caught in the blades which can cause the stems to get 'tugged' and damaged lower down. How to Prune Young Clematis. Great Clematis montana Varieties . These clematis will quickly cover walls, fences or pergolas and maybe grown as showy, flowering groundcovers. Grow Clematis montana var. In pruning clematis, your overall goal is to create a plant that will flower strongly each year at various heights from ground level to a comfortable height where you can enjoy and reach the plant for maintenance. No regular pruning required. Take a step-by-step approach to pruning clematis. The Montana clematis belongs in pruning Group A and should be pruned back right after flowering. Clematis are climbers and good companions to other plants because they don't damage what they're growing on. Clematis grow in any climate zone, though anemone clematis (Clematis montana) typically fares best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 … Since they bloom on the previous season's wood, they belong to the pruning group 1. Pruning your clematis keeps it healthy and vigorous, helps stop the plant collapsing under its own weight, and encourages flowers to bloom at a sensible height. How to Prune Clematis Montana. rubens ‘Elizabeth’ falls into Pruning Group One. We have always preferred to use sharp scissors like our Barnel Clematis Pruning Scissors which are light weight and ideal for this more intricate pruning work that clematis require. Like all early-flowering clematis, Clematis montana var.