How to Prune Clematis Jackmanii

Clematis are climbing flowering vines native to China, Japan and parts of Europe. The clematis jackmanii is a hybrid of clematis from China and Europe that can grow up to 10 feet in a single growing season. It needs full sun to partial shade but its roots should be kept in shade or mulched over to protect them. The clematis jackmanii is hardy in United States Department of Agricultural zones 4 to 9.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Pruners
• Scissors

1. Dead-head clematis jackmanii’s flowers as they fade by cutting them back to the vine.
2. Wait for the clematis jackmanii to die back in the fall and winter. The leaves and foliage of the plant will turn brown and fade.
3. Cut the clematis jackmanii to the ground in the late winter or early spring. If you live in a cold climate, wait for the clematis jackmanii to lose its foliage before you cut it back. The foliage will turn brown and die in the late fall or early winter in USDA zones 4 to 7 in most cases.
4. Find the crown of the clematis jackmanii in your garden. It will have several woody vines growing from it.
5. Select a woody vine that is connected directly to the crown and cut the vine off about 2 to 3 inches from the crown with the pruners. Cut each vine individually until all of the main vines are cut back to 2 to 3 inches above the plant’s crown.

Tips & Warnings

• The clematis jackmanii flowers on new growth, so all the old growth must be cut away for the flowering to be the most spectacular.

• Don’t cut the clematis jackmanii back in late fall as it will have no protection from winter injury to its crown if you do.