GROUP 1 - No Pruning The varieties in this group of winter and spring flowering bloomers require no pruning. This includes members of the Atragene Group, Montana Group and the Evergreen Group. If pruning is needed to keep the plant tidy, take out dead or broken stems, or for general renewal, it should be done soon after the main period of flowering. This will allow the plant enough time to produce plenty of new growth thw will provide flowers for the next year. GROUP 2 - Prune Light A. Young newly planted large flowered varieties from this group should be pruned hard in late winter/early spring the first two years after planting. This will help establish a strong root system and promote multiple stems to develop from the base of the plant. B. For established varieties in this group, principally the early large flowered hybrids that bloom in late spring to early summer and again in late summer to autumn and also the double flowering types that bloom on new and old wood, pruning commences in late winter/early spring when the buds begin to swell and you can determine what wood is alive. First, prune out dead, diseased, broken and weak stems. Then, starting at the top and moving down about 1/3 the height, prune just above a strong pair of buds on each stem. If there is a tangled mass of stems at the top, just cut below this, seperate the stems and tie to a support. After the first period of flowering is finished give the plant another very light pruning and fertilize. This will help promote another round of blooms. C. For varieties that produce double flowers on old wood (wood from the year before) wait to prune until after the first flowering of double flowers in early summer. Then prune lightly and fertilize again. GROUP 3 - Prune Hard This includes the late large flowering hybrids, Jackmanii type hybrids, late flowering species, the Viticella Group and its related forms and the Herbaceous Group. They all bloom on the current year's growth (new wood) and require hard pruning in early spring when the buds begin to swell. Starting from the base of the plant prune just above the second pair of buds or about 12-18 inches from the ground. If the plant is herbaceus it may die back to the ground and if it is woody at the base prune to a pair of strong pair of buds just above the ground. The tangutica and orientalis types do not need to be pruned to the ground but rather can be pruned back to the main stems. FERTILIZE AND MULCH CLEMATIS AFTER PRUNING Always make sure the ground is moist before fertilizing. Clematis are heavy feeders and should be fertilized and mulched just after pruning in late winter/early spring using a balanced fertilizer. For varieties that provide a second period of flowering another feeding is recommended just after the first period of flowering has finished. As a general rule stop fertilizing once your plant starts to develop buds and do not fertilize later than early August. A top dressing, lightly dug in around the base of aged manure or bone meal can also be quite beneficial. A second feeding is recommended in early summer after the first period of flowering. Plants in containers should be fed in early spring with a timed slow release fertilizer and supplemented every two weeks with balanced liquid fertilizer.