Clematis Pruning Group B (Group 2) Explained

Gardener bought a clematis labeled "trim as Class B" and asks what that means and when to prune.

Three Pruning Groups

Group A (1): Early Spring Bloomers on Old Wood

Prune immediately after flowering. Includes C. alpina, macropetala, armandii, montana.

Group B (2): Large-Flowered Hybrids on Old Wood

Your plant. Prune only to remove spent flowers. Subgroups:

• 2a: Spring bloom, possible fall repeat.
• 2b: Spring bloom, sporadic summer blooms on new wood. Deadhead first flush for more later flowers.

Group C (3): Summer/Late Bloomers on New Wood

Cut to 1–2 ft in late winter. Includes C. viticella, Jackmanii, texensis, terniflora.

Key Rule for Group B

Do not hard prune—you'll remove next year's flower buds. Light grooming only.

Resource

Excellent illustrated guide: clematis.com.pl.

Know your group, prune correctly, enjoy decades of blooms.