Group 3 pruning
February, when buds start to swell, is the time to cut back Group 3 clematis that flower late in the season of growth produced the same year. Varieties include Clematis viticella, C. texensis and Clematis x durandii. If they are neglected they become a tangle of unproductive stems. Newly planted clematis should be cut back hard to just above a strong pair of leaf buds in their first spring after planting. This encourages multiple stems with potential of plenty of flowers. Established plants should be cut back to the lowest pair of buds 6-12in (15-30cm) above the soil.…