Thank you all, it makes a lot of sense. @Obelixx I see, so with my Group 2, on the stem with buds on I would cut off any dead stem above the top-most bud, i.e. not removing any new buds at all. That one stem with no buds on at all, perhaps I'll wait and see if that stem produces any.
I have got some clematis fertiliser so I'll use that on them both.
Re the type 3, if you cut down to the ground they will flower later than if you left them unpruned. I think you can prune some stems and not others (or prune halfway) to stagger the flowering, if you want.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
I prune similar to what @Loxley describes - ie I might leave a few stems which have higher buds, but that's because, as I said earlier, some of mine are scrambling through other shrubs etc. Most are cut back to where there are decent buds on each stem, and then I have to hope the slugs leave them alone Some still don't manage here, as the soil/conditoins are just too much for them. I'm currently growing one [white] called Maria Cornelia, which is managing very well, and is in beside a rhodo and various other planting. A white one I got from R. Hodson hasn't survived in the raised border it was in- just too wet for it. I got one last year [?] which I've been wanting for a while - Julka, and so far it's ok, fingers crossed. Such is life - some cope better than others.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl that's good to know it's all quite flexible, with leaving some stems according to conditions. I had a white clematis montana that had a vanilla scent though it would climb crazily (tried to go up the leylandii), but it suddenly died. I am learning there are just so many different varieties out there. I looked up the Julka, it's a beautiful pink and red colour.
That is very helpful @Fire, I really like the detailed instructions, I need them as detailed as they can get! I will inspect my one stem with no buds on it and try to work out if it is dead or alive under the bark.
The montanas are very different from Groups 2 & 3. They don't need anything other than light tidy up, unless they're getting too big for the space. They're very big plants. I don't think your Group 2 is big enough for any pruning, as I said earlier. It's a very immature looking plant. It could be on the dry side as it's right next to that shrub too.
Group 2s can be treated in different ways, as @Obelixx has said. Usually, you'll get a small second flush of flowers on them, if they flower early enough to start with. We don't get that here - maybe a few flowers if it's been a mild, early spring, and they can then grow on enough to produce some later on. The season's much later here. You only need to tidy them after the first flowering if they really need it, or are intruding in another area in some way
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
Some still don't manage here, as the soil/conditoins are just too much for them. I'm currently growing one [white] called Maria Cornelia, which is managing very well, and is in beside a rhodo and various other planting. A white one I got from R. Hodson hasn't survived in the raised border it was in- just too wet for it. I got one last year [?] which I've been wanting for a while - Julka, and so far it's ok, fingers crossed.
Such is life - some cope better than others.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yes, late winter pruning for group 2 is to tidy up
I don't think your Group 2 is big enough for any pruning, as I said earlier. It's a very immature looking plant. It could be on the dry side as it's right next to that shrub too.
Group 2s can be treated in different ways, as @Obelixx has said. Usually, you'll get a small second flush of flowers on them, if they flower early enough to start with. We don't get that here - maybe a few flowers if it's been a mild, early spring, and they can then grow on enough to produce some later on. The season's much later here. You only need to tidy them after the first flowering if they really need it, or are intruding in another area in some way
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...