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Nipping out clematis growing tip

peteSpeteS Posts: 966
in Plants
Is it a good idea to pinch out the growing tips on my group 3 clematis to create more shoots...if so, at what stage is best. Many thanks.
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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    No. New shoots come from below ground on Group 3 clematis.
    They're not like annuals - sweet peas etc  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    Yes, absolutely, I do it all the time.. it creates a bushier plant and more flowers for you.  I tend to wait until the plant is a few feet tall then I pinch out all the tips.  I sometimes do it more than once on a gr. 3  Pete.. 
    East Anglia, England
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Interesting. Many of my Group 3s wouldn't be a few feet tall until about June though, in most years. One or two are quite far on this year but we've had no winter and a very warm spring.
    I might try it on one of the Etoile Violettes.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I have never pinched out a clematis but I do deadhead when they're young and I do try and train as many stems as possible along a horizontal line and that seems to make them send out more short flowering shoots - same principal as with climbing roses.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    They can be pinched out confidently even when quite short, one I did in Spring when about a foot tall, and it responds by producing  more shoots from below ground.  
    Pinching out the leading shoot produces two more.. depending on clematis I may also pinch these out as they grow..  it stops the plant becoming overly tall and lanky..

    East Anglia, England
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I shall give it a go with some young ones and report back @Marlorena but my mature ones are doing just fine.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • peteSpeteS Posts: 966
    You make a lot of valid reasons to do it @Marlorena...and I've seen your clematis...so it obviously works. I'll be pinching out tomorrow.
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Here's a link to pruning clematis 1,2 and 3 for less experienced gardeners. It explains quite clearly which group is which and when to prune. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJT_TBZyEnQ
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    I also pinch out the tips when the plant is about 2 foot tall.
    Sunny Dundee
  • Arthur1Arthur1 Posts: 542
    This is the Chelsea chop. I do it on herbaceous clematis to try to keep them more compact. They are so vigorous they cope easily.
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