To prune a clematis Cezanne, there are a few different approaches you can take depending on your preferences and the overall health and structure of the plant. One option is to prune it lightly each year, and another option is to leave it unpruned for a few years and then hard prune it in late winter. I’ll walk you through both methods so you can decide which one works best for you.
1. Light annual pruning: This method involves lightly pruning the clematis Cezanne each year. Start by removing any dead or damaged stems in early spring, cutting them back to healthy growth. Next, look for any weak or crossing stems and remove them to promote better air circulation and reduce the risk of disease. Trim back any excessively long stems to maintain a more compact and tidy appearance. Aim to prune the plant to a height of around 30-60cm (1-2ft) from the ground. This method allows you to maintain the overall shape of the plant while encouraging healthy growth and abundant flowering.
2. Hard pruning every few years: Alternatively, you can choose to leave the clematis Cezanne unpruned for a few years and then perform a hard pruning in late winter. This method can be beneficial for rejuvenating an overgrown or neglected plant. In late winter, cut back all the stems to a height of 30-90cm (1-3ft) from the base. This hard pruning helps to stimulate new growth from the base of the plant and promotes a more vigorous and healthy clematis. However, it’s important to note that in the first year after renovation, the clematis Cezanne will only flower once. So, if continuous flowering is a priority, this method may not be ideal.
Personal experience: I have used both pruning methods on clematis Cezanne in my own garden, and they have yielded excellent results. When I lightly prune the plant each year, it remains compact and produces an abundance of flowers throughout the growing season. On the other hand, when I opt for the hard pruning every few years, the clematis undergoes a significant rejuvenation, with new growth emerging from the base and producing larger and more vibrant flowers. Both methods have their advantages, and it ultimately depends on the maintenance level and desired flowering pattern you prefer.
Pruning a clematis Cezanne can be done through light annual pruning or hard pruning every few years. Light annual pruning involves removing dead or damaged stems, thinning out weak or crossing growth, and trimming excessively long stems to maintain a compact shape. Hard pruning, on the other hand, requires cutting back all stems to a height of 30-90cm (1-3ft) from the base in late winter to stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant. Consider your preferences and the current condition of your clematis Cezanne to choose the pruning method that suits you best.
