Shoot Logo
Take a photoPlans & pricingBook a demoGet started

Confused by plant pruning labels- have garden centres already pruned before i bought the plants?

Confused by plant pruning labels- have garden centres already pruned before i bought the plants?

Comment from Shoot User
490 2
Hi all
Complete novice here getting confused over the labels attached to my new clematis plants.

One states: year 1- cut back all stems to 30cm in early Spring.

My questions are- does 'year 1' mean a year after I have bought the plant? If not, how do I know how old it is already?
I bought the clematis in early May this year - would the garden centre staff have cut the plant back already, or do I need to do it now?

The clematis was roughly 1metre tall and is an armandii if that is of use, however some of my other plants have similar instructions and the same questions apply...

Completely confused.

Thanks for reading.

Victoria
Posted: Tuesday 31st of May 2016 08:06 PM

  • Re: Confused by plant pruning labels- have garden centres already pruned before i bought the plants?

    Carol
    I'm not sure what they are getting at on your label but the Shoot advice for Clematis armandii doesn't say to cut back to 30cm at any point. I would say that May doesn't feel like 'early spring' so it would not be necessary to cut it now. But see how it goes. As it's an evergreen, the pruning advice is about how to keep it tidy - so if it grows tidy this year, you are probably ok.
    Replied: Wednesday 1st of June 2016 11:23 AM

  • Re: Confused by plant pruning labels- have garden centres already pruned before i bought the plants?

    John Wicks
    You prune this variety just after it has finished flowering. C. armandii is a vigorous grower so all you need to do is remove dead, diseased or damaged parts first and then prune it to the shape and size that you want. I'd let it grow for a year or so before pruning it.
    John
    Replied: Thursday 23rd of June 2016 04:33 PM
TOP