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Clematis - Polish Spirit

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From: Ish Vardhani City: Champaign, IL
First time gardener here, just moved into a house that has a beautiful Clematis vine. Polish spirit, I think from pictures. It bloomed a LOT post June (when I moved in) and I don't know how it looked in Spring. Question: Do I prune before winter? Or wait until Spring next year? When should I prune? And how severely? Please help.
	Extension Message From: James Schmidt Extension Specialist, Home Horticulture/4-H Department of Crop Sciences schmidt1@illinois.edu
This type does not need to be pruned unless it is too large for the space it is in. If you do prune, cut it back in late winter or early spring. Cut the shoots back to last year's wood. You won't have flowers that spring but will have a fall boom. If you don't want to cut back that severely, you can cut it bck in stages over 3 years. Each year cut back about 1/3. Make cuts just above buds.
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