By Nannijii
London,
United Kingdom 
Pruning Clematis. I have three clematis (can't remember the names) that have flowered very well this year. The flowers will probably last for about another 3 weeks. I would like to know if it will do any real harm if I prune them quite hard at the end of July. I know this is usually done in February, but I want to let some light into the lower part of the garden. Thanks Nan
27 Jun, 2014
Answers
Thank you. I looked this up, but what I really wanted to know is if it will do any harm to prune it in July rather than wait to February. One of them is Niobe.
27 Jun, 2014
Niobi is Pruning (clematis) group 2 this one is specifically mentioned by SpritzH - Clematis in this group do need a little pruning before the new growth starts in early spring. It is best to cut out any damaged shoots at the top of the previous year’s growth, and then look for healthy pairs of buds further down each stem. Try to create a framework as these buds will produce strong shoots and then the flowers. Don’t cut back hard! This group usually has large flowers, in mid-spring, and then often flower again in late summer.
So pruning in July will mean you will not get flowers again this year.
27 Jun, 2014
In 2009 Spritzhenry wrote a blog on clematis pruning, 'Clematis - prune or not?'
If you go to clematis at the bottom of this page press C then click on Clematis and its down near the bottom of the page. this should help with when and how to prune after you have identified your pruning type 1, 2 or 3.
27 Jun, 2014