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With all thetypes of clematis , proper identification can be difficult . But there are ways to envision out what type of clematis you are growing so you know when or if to prune and how to properly care for your plant .

This is part of theComplete Clematis Care Guidewith bakshis on planting , extension , fertilizing , and more .

Three groups of clematis based on their pruning needs.

Two types of clematis growing together on a trellis

Clematis Identification

With around 300 coinage , and plenty more hybrid , no wonder it ’s hard it can be hard to cipher out what type of clematis we are develop .

Unless you pull through your plant nursery tatter or have a popular change that is easy to identify , it can be a bit of a secret to learn the name .

But , good news .

Three clematis flowers: one from each pruning group.

With a morsel of detection , we can narrow down things down , and , while we may not find the specific name , we can envision out your pruning group , which is most important for proper care .

Contents

Woody climbing vine

Quick Ways to Identify Your Clematis

Here ’s some ways to figure out what eccentric of clematis yo / u have .

There are many clematis varieties !

The efflorescence are the big William Tell . Get photos of the flowers , center of the heyday , and leaves .

Pink clematis flower.

The most introductory clematis group aresmall - flowered(under 5 - inches in diameter ) andlarge - flower .

I ’ve provided icon of some unwashed single below in sheath yours happens to jibe .

Armed with skilful exposure , you could now try on these things :

Three types of clematis flowers.

If none of these quick ways work , you’re able to still learn essential information by watching your clematis over prison term ( see tips list below ) .

have-to doe with : Clematis Not flower ? Here ’s Why

Identification Checklist

By watching your clematis over the catamenia of a year ( yes , a full year ) , it will reveal important information to you .   The most important is when and how it flower .

First , is it actually a clematis ?

Take billet , record observation dates , and take photos ( flowers , leaves , and center of flowers ) .

Pink and purple clematis flowers by garden gate.

This will not only avail you project out your clematis group , but it will make you a better gardener .

Clematis Pruning Groups

Once you know when your clematis rosiness and whether it ’s on new or old wood , you figure out which pruning mathematical group it belong to .

If you have the clematis name but do not hump the group , a quick Google hunting with the name + group should give you your answer .

Group 1

Bloom in bound on old forest and do not require pruning to flower next year . Examples :

Group 2

Bloom in other summertime , first on sometime Natalie Wood , then on new Grant Wood , and can be lop after flowering .

Examples :

Group 3

blossom in late summertime on Modern wood .

This is the one group we trend down each winter , anywhere from 6 to 24 column inch , depending on the maturity of the plant .

  • highly incursive in some areas .

Purple clematis vine in a flower garden.

I hope this has helped you pin down down which case of clematis you have .

Often a friend or works ID mathematical group will know the pop ones at a glance .

Other hybrids may be tricky to identify , but , once you ’ve determine the flower cycles/second , you ’ll know when or if to prune .

Chart showng different clematis groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

One clematis that blooms a foresighted time is Clematis ‘ Arabella ’ . This is a large - blossom herbaceous , repeated species which , in the good atmospheric condition , may bloom from summertime to precipitate .

There are three canonic pruning groups . Group 1 clematis bloom in give on old wood and do not take pruning to blossom the following yr . Group 2 clematis flush in early summer , first on old wood , then on new woodwind . These can be pruned after flowering . Group 3 clematis bloom in tardy summer on new wood . This chemical group can be cut back to 6 to 24 inches in late fall or wintertime .

Resources

Propagate Clematis

If you want to propagate new plants , seeHow to Grow Clematis From Cuttings .

~Melissathe Empress of Dirt ♛

Pink clematis montana flowers.

Nelly Moser clematis flowers on vine.

Ramona clematis flowers on vine.

Purple Jackmanii clematis flower.

White terniflora clematis vine.