Clematis: From Buds to Flowers, Lets see Yours. Vol. 2, 1 by pirl

pirl wrote:
I never thought about it that way but it sounds good, Marie.

Many of mine, especially Jackmanii, have bushy bottoms and the tops look sparse but the flowers will pop out all over. This Jackmanii has already invaded the lantern, again, and I'll have to clip it back but it will still invade the lantern on a weekly basis.

This photo was taken 5/13 and now the lantern is packed with new growth. See how bushy the bottom is but not the top?

I prune as Carolyn does but when a type 2 looks ratty or sparse I happily cut it way back.

Yesterday I spotted one stem on a type 2 that didn't look healthy so before it spread to the entire plant I took the entire stem out right to the ground.