Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Concern over my Clematis ("prune hard" group)

magdalena.sudnikowiczMNg6vYs_magdalena.sudnikowiczMNg6vYs_ Posts: 5
in Plants
Dear Fellow Gardeners,
I hope you are well. 
I'm a novice Clematis lover and I've got a concern over my gorgeous plant. 
It's a "prune hard" variety and I'm aware that I shouldn't prune it until early spring. 
Having lost all foliage a few weeks ago, it now has suddenly started to produce buds 😳
Is this normal? If it starts producing shoots and leaves, should I refrain from pruning it hard in early spring? Are these buds going to survive frost's? I'm really confused as I was under impression that this group remains dormant during winter months? 
Your advice will be appreciated. 
Thank you so much. 
I enclose a photo for reference 😉 

Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    That is quite normal.
    I would still prune hard in early Spring.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I agree with @punkdoc ... my Group 3s often do this ... as the weather gets colder the new buds slow their growth ... I still prune hard in early Spring ... and give a handful or two of Clematis feed ... they'll be gorgeous again next year. Come back and show us some photos when they bloom.  :)

    And welcome to the forum by the way  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's as already described, and would be hard pruned in late winter/early spring. New growth can then be trained across supports to get maximum coverage, and new shoots will also be produced from below ground until the plant reaches full maturity.  :)

    I'm more concerned about those wires across the front of it! 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • magdalena.sudnikowiczMNg6vYs_magdalena.sudnikowiczMNg6vYs_ Posts: 5
    Fairygirl said:
    It's as already described, and would be hard pruned in late winter/early spring. New growth can then be trained across supports to get maximum coverage, and new shoots will also be produced from below ground until the plant reaches full maturity.  :)

    I'm more concerned about those wires across the front of it! 
    Valid point 😁 it's only a Christmas lights cable which I'm unable to run in any other way. It'll be removed in 3 weeks time 😉 thank you for your advice 😚
  • magdalena.sudnikowiczMNg6vYs_magdalena.sudnikowiczMNg6vYs_ Posts: 5
    Thank you so much for providing your advice, Everyone 😚 you gave me the peace of mind I needed ☺️👌🏾

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That's a relief @magdalena.sudnikowiczMNg6vYs_ -   I was just concerned it was something else  more permanent !   ;)
    Good luck with it - I hope it does well for you. Come back to the forum if you have any other problems, or queries about it.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • magdalena.sudnikowiczMNg6vYs_magdalena.sudnikowiczMNg6vYs_ Posts: 5
    Fairygirl said:
    That's a relief @magdalena.sudnikowiczMNg6vYs_ -   I was just concerned it was something else  more permanent !   ;)
    Good luck with it - I hope it does well for you. Come back to the forum if you have any other problems, or queries about it.  :)
    Thank you so much 😚 considering that I only purchased it in April and planted it in a pot, it actually had quite a lot of flowers 🌺 it started showing off signs of wilt mid summer - I believe that gravel I placed on top of the soil was the culprit 😞 I removed the gravel and diseased leaves and it returned to its healthy state so all goes well, I'll be rewarded with some beautiful bloom next summer ☺️ 
    I'm only worried about correct pruning early spring, there's quite a bit of info online but me being me, I could do with an idiot guide showing me a photo with the exact line of pruning ☺️ 
    If anyone would be so kind to share, I'd be incredibly grateful 🌺 
    Best wishes, Everyone. Xx
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Most Group 3s [those that are hard pruned] will be better in the ground as they want to become large plants. Pots are not generally big enough to accommodate them easily, apart from when they're young and immature. 
    Gravel wouldn't cause a problem, so I wouldn't worry about that.  Water and food are the two main things that a potted clematis needs, so it's more likely that it was dry   :)
    Do you know which variety you have? It's easy to check relevant info on one of the specialist growers' sites if you do  :)
    In any case, cutting all stems back to around a foot/30 cm, just above a leaf joint, is the general method for a Group 3.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • magdalena.sudnikowiczMNg6vYs_magdalena.sudnikowiczMNg6vYs_ Posts: 5
    edited December 2021
    Fairygirl said:
    Most Group 3s [those that are hard pruned] will be better in the ground as they want to become large plants. Pots are not generally big enough to accommodate them easily, apart from when they're young and immature. 
    Gravel wouldn't cause a problem, so I wouldn't worry about that.  Water and food are the two main things that a potted clematis needs, so it's more likely that it was dry   :)
    Do you know which variety you have? It's easy to check relevant info on one of the specialist growers' sites if you do  :)
    In any case, cutting all stems back to around a foot/30 cm, just above a leaf joint, is the general method for a Group 3.  :)
    Having removed the label, I only remember "Voluceau" name it had on it. I enjoyed a beautiful burgundy red coloured flowers that kept popping up for about 2 months. 
    How I wish I was fortunate enough to have a garden like most of you - I wouldn't hesitate to plant it directly in soil 😞 I live in an apartment with a loggia - hence keeping my lovely Clematis in a pot is the only option 😕 
    I made sure it was big enough though - it's wide and tall so hopefully enough space for the root system to develop and sustain my plant. Fingers crossed 😀
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Here's a little info on it - a very useful site
    https://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=589

    It's not one I know, but it's a beautiful colour. I love those rich, dark reds and purples  :)

    As long as you refresh the top layer of soil each year to keep it healthy, and attend to the feeding and watering, it should do well for you - I hope so anyway  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sign In or Register to comment.