Should a Clematis be cut back each spring?

Not sure if I should cut my Clematis back now...I only planted it last year and am not sure how to care for it. Our spring is just starting here so now would be the time to do it, I guess.

Should a Clematis be cut back each spring?
In order to know whether or not you should cut your clematis back, you need to know what kind it is. The reason for that is that some clematis bloom on old wood, some on new wood, and some on both. Here are some links with more information for you:





http://www.clematisnursery.com/Pruning.a...





http://gardening.about.com/od/perennials...





http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/champaign/...





And a whole bunch of pictures of different kinds, in case you aren't sure what you have:





http://www.chalkhillclematis.com/nursery...





Good luck! I love clematis!
Reply:that depends on which kind of clematis you have. No --- don't go running looking for it's name. Easy to figure out.





When did it flower???








If it flowered later in the year that means the flowers formed on the new stem growth. That means you should cut it back now so you can get lots of new growth which will give you what you really want from it which is lots of flowers.





However if the flowers were there in early spring it means they flowered on stems formed last year and if you prune it now you won't get any flowers. Those need to be pruned after they have flowered.





If you are not sure then just leave them for this year and see when and also where on the vine they flower.


If it is at the tips of the stems it means it is on new stems( also called new wood) and this will tell you that next year you should prune early in the year.





have fun
Reply:only take off the first 6-8 inches of the growing tips;I cut mine right back last year - its a new one - and its slow growing this year with few flowers.....