Need help cutting back my clematis!
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Any of you with a green thumb, can you help me out? When and how should I cut back my sweet autumn clematis? This is our first year in this house and I don't want to kill it. Thanks!
It is growing over a moongate but the blooms have now gone and am thinking we should trim it back now for winter.
15 answers
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Do not do anything now. Sweet autumn clematis sets its flower buds in late summer on new growth, so in late winter or early spring simply cut it down to a couple of strong buds a foot or two off the ground.
![Douglas Hunt]()
Douglas Hunt
on Oct 03, 2013
- See 2 previous
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We cut ours in very early spring before growth begins. You have a wonderful specimen there, gorgeous:)
![Sensible Gardening and Living]()
Sensible Gardening and Living
on Oct 03, 2013
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I cut mine back in the spring and my sister cuts hers in the fall. Either works and yes it will all come back.
![Diane Waddups]()
Diane Waddups
on Oct 04, 2013
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When mine turns brown, I cut it right off/down to the grass length. It grows back every year beautiful as ever!
![Julia Fuller Thayer]()
Julia Fuller Thayer
on Oct 04, 2013
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YW. I'm like you. I moved here in TN in 2006. This huge plant grows on the fence that goes around the pool and I had no idea what it was! Now, when anyone else mows in the spring...I make sure they don't mow over the new shoots.
![Julia Fuller Thayer]()
Julia Fuller Thayer
on Oct 04, 2013
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Don't be afraid to cut it back, it is good for it and will stay healthy!
![Debby Boyle]()
Debby Boyle
on Oct 04, 2013
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I've heard it said, cut back right AFTER it flowers, otherwise you'll be cutting off the flower buds that are forming.
![Mary-Jo Westbrook]()
Mary-Jo Westbrook
on Oct 04, 2013
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Don't you just love this plant! It's always drenched in blossoms in the fall and has such a sweet fragrance! I had to cut mine back to the ground when my trellis fell over and we had to redo it the support structure. It grew back beautifully. I always follow Doug's advice. He is a wealth of great information. I'm so glad he is on Hometalk.
![B.J. B]()
B.J. B
on Oct 04, 2013
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We trim ours back to the ground every fall. I think if grows back bigger every year.
![RJ]()
RJ
on Oct 04, 2013
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We have several large Autumn clematis. We wait until spring and after the first buds show, we cut it back to about 3ft off the ground. It comes back heavier and heavier, year after year.
![Pieri Hayes]()
Pieri Hayes
on Oct 04, 2013
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I don't think you can kill this type of clematis. It has roots to a twin one in China I'm sure. I cut mine to the ground fall and spring and it still takes over the world.
![Jan]()
Jan
on Oct 05, 2013
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You will not kill it it is very evasive I started with 1 now I have at least 6 . just start pulling it down cut where you have to leave the plant 4 or 5 inche above ground it will come bach. I it a fast growimg vine and a very pretty blanketing in the fall or late aug.
![Deborah Bunton]()
Deborah Bunton
on Oct 05, 2013
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and the smell.........
![Pieri Hayes]()
Pieri Hayes
on Oct 06, 2013
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I cut mine back in the spring because my local birds use it in the winter for shelter !!!
![Trish Weinstein]()
Trish Weinstein
on Oct 07, 2013
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Thank you, all, for the help with my clematis. I think we're going to wait until the spring to cut it back.
![Finding Silver Pennies]()
Finding Silver Pennies
on Oct 07, 2013
Douglas Hunt
on Oct 03, 2013
Sensible Gardening and Living
on Oct 03, 2013
Diane Waddups
on Oct 04, 2013
Julia Fuller Thayer
on Oct 04, 2013
Debby Boyle
on Oct 04, 2013
Mary-Jo Westbrook
on Oct 04, 2013
B.J. B
on Oct 04, 2013
RJ
on Oct 04, 2013
Jan
on Oct 05, 2013
Deborah Bunton
on Oct 05, 2013
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