How to Prune Clematis Armandii

Fast-growing clematis armandii can reach heights of up to 20 feet, though gardeners can keep the vines smaller through annual pruning. This plant grows best in partial shade and requires a trellis for support. Clematis armandii grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 to 10 and produces either white or pink flowers. Since this clematis flowers in the spring, gardeners should hold their pruning until after the vine bears flowers. Once established, your clematis vine needs little care to thrive.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Hand pruners

1. Schedule pruning for when your clematis armandii has finished blooming. This type of clematis blooms in the spring on old growth, so pruning during late winter would reduce your display of flower blooms. The best time to prune is just after your vine finished flowering. However, Clemson University notes that you can prune through July without harming next year’s bloom.
2. Prune back new growth without cutting into the woody clematis stems. Using hand pruners, cut stems back to the main woody trunk. This clematis is a vigorous grower, so don’t worry about reducing the size of your plant; throughout the growing season, it will renew itself.
3. Cut off tangled tendrils, which can choke the main stem if left to grow. Remove these carefully, making sure you don’t accidentally cut the woody stem. Clematis armandii won’t die if you cut the woody stem, but it will be a much smaller plant.
4. Prune clematis armandii back severely if you want to rejuvenate your vine or if it has grown too large for your garden. As Fine Gardening notes, you can cut this type of clematis back to just a few inches above the ground and it will regenerate. Cut it back this severely only if the plant is too large, since you’ll have fewer blooms while the plant regrows, even though it is a fast grower. Older growth comes back more slowly after a large pruning job.