We have a purple clematis that climbs up the south side of our screen porch. It’s a summer blooming variety so I prune it in the Spring. (Spring blooming clematis are usually pruned the previous fall.)
Before Pruning, A Tangle of Dead Leaves
I worked my way up from the bottom, clipping off dead wood right next to emerging buds. I was wearing my Womanswork “Digger” garden gloves in teal blue.
Pruning next to new buds
When working with a tangle of vines and leaves and side shoots, it’s easy to make the mistake of cutting vines that you wish you hadn’t. I know because I did it one year. This time I was careful to detangle the long vines to separate them from the little side shoots that attach themselves to them. Some of the side shoots that wrap their tendrils around the longer vines are worth keeping because they provide support.
Vines are anchored to the house with teacup hooks
Separating the long vines to be sure I don't cut any by mistake
After I finish my pruning it looks much neater and the buds will have more air and light to help them grow. There is nothing more for me to do but wait until June to see their beautiful purple flowers.
Vines have been cleaned up and the buds can continue to grow with more light and air than before
