Re: perennials DIGEST V3 #456

In a message dated 5/16/02 11:02:08 PM, perennials-owner@hort.net writes:

<<   For us here where the growing season is so short we have found 
that no pruning is the best.  You wait until spring and see how much of the 
plant is alive. >>

Claire, I am a zone 5 by the USDA map but in reality I am a zone 4 garden 
also.  I do not prune the class 3 clematis until spring when I can see the 
new growth.  Class 3 clematis such as 'Durandii', recta, integrifolias ( 
non-twining) die back to ground here so pruning is not a question.  C. 
viticella 'Betty Corning' and 'Etoile Violette' also die back.
    This year I too have bloom on my montana 'Maylene' and montana 'Rubens'  
which is a treat.  The Rubens is growing thru the purple smoke tree which 
really catches ones eye.
    Carnaby is a class 2 and does not require pruning but if you which to 
control the growth habit this should be done right after blooming.  
    I have 'Hagley' which is a class 2 also.  Because this had become so 
woody and the shape had become undesirable I pruned this to the ground in 
spring.  It bloomed just as prolific that same year but the bloom was delayed.
    The greenhouse where I work carry between 38-40 varieties annually at the 
price of $7@ .  We have free garden talks in early spring.  One of the talks 
I give is on clematis because it seems so many gardeners do not understand 
this plant.  We also have all clematis labeled with their pruning class and 
provide a culture sheet.  Other garden centers in our area do not provide 
this information.
    I have a question on recta 'Purpurea'.  This has become so big around I 
need to reduce the size.  Has anyone ever divided one of these?
    Ceres, Iowa zone 4/5

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