How to prune clematis 'the president'

Late winter to early spring (February–March). Trace each stem down from the tip, cutting out dead or thin growth entirely. Cut healthy stems back to the topmost strong pair of buds. Deadhead lightly after the first flowering to encourage the second wave. Avoid cutting into thick, woody base stems.

Annually (light prune in late winter; optional light deadhead mid-season). Clematis 'The President' is Group 2, blooming on old wood in early summer and again later on new growth. Prune lightly in late winter — remove dead or weak stems and cut back remaining shoots to healthy buds. A harder autumn tidy risks losing the first early flush of large violet-purple flowers.

Trace each stem down from the tip, cutting out dead or thin growth entirely. Cut healthy stems back to the topmost strong pair of buds. Deadhead lightly after the first flowering to encourage the second wave. Avoid cutting into thick, woody base stems.