Clematis: Group 1 pruning?, 1 by JHarp

JHarp wrote:
Thank you pirl;

The reason I want to cut them back is to try to rejuvenate them. There are two varieties at the base of the trellis. They used to grow to the top of the trellis, but they have been declining for several years.

I reset them 5 or 6 inches deeper about 4 or 5 years ago, put a lot of organic matter in the planting hole, and provided shorter plants to shade the roots. I spread a tablespoonful or two of 10-10-10 before growth starts in the spring, then give them an occasional dose of water soluble plant food during the summer.

The location may not be good, they get sun off and on till about 2PM, then are shaded by the house.

I think I was wrong about the group they are in. One I think is a Nellie Moser, and I've forgot what the other is, the tags are long gone. Wayside Gardens has an article on pruning clematis, they recommend cutting them short one time to get fuller growth and more flowers. Thanks again.

Jim