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Clematis - pruned it too hard

Peanuts3Peanuts3 Posts: 759

I have a clematis Pillu which I've had for a couple of years.  I've just looked up the pruning group and it says light pruning (group 2).  I've been cutting it down to the ground.  What are the chances of survival ? I cut it back a few weeks ago and no sign of life currently.

Really annoyed with myself.  image

Posts

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    It probably will survive but you won't get the early flush of double flowers, they bloom on last year's stems, but you should get some good growth by the time the second flush is due. Mine aren't showing growth yet, but they will.

    Maybe go easy on it next year then you will get the two lots.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • davids10davids10 Posts: 894

    It should sprout from below the soil-it just takes longer. If it was a double you will probably only get single flowers on the new growth.

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    It is a double first then single. The doubles grow on last year's growth.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    As Lyn says - it'll probably come back. Two years of growth is nothing in clematis terms. Just be kind to it next time Peanuts  image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • If, as you say, you have only had the Piilu a couple of years then long term the hard pruning will be beneficial, you should end up with a bushier, sturdier, plant.

    You can revert back to the ( so called ) Group 2 pruning next year.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,087

    It should be fine and all the betetr for it as Richard says.

    I treat all my group 2s as group 3s because most if not all of their top growth usually gets frozen to death in winter and it's easier than trying to clear out just the dead stems.  I give them a good handful of slow release clematis food about now and if it's dry, a drink of liquid tomato food as a tonic around Easter.

    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
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