With its delicate pink, oversized blooms, the Clematis montana ‘Rubens’ is hands-down one of the most stunning mountain clematis varieties out there. Originally hailing from alpine landscapes, it’s a total showstopper in any home garden. But if you’ve got this climbing beauty scaling your walls, you might be wondering: how exactly do I prune it?
Pruning Your Clematis montana ‘Rubens’: The Golden Rules
This alpine variety is an early bloomer, opening its buds on “old wood” (growth from the previous year) starting in May and showing off that pink floral dream through late June. Because of this, pruning in the winter is a big no-no. By late fall, your ‘Rubens’ has already set all its buds for next year, so a winter haircut would mean cutting away all your spring flowers!
The rule of thumb here is to wait until after the flowering is done. Aim for a day that’s overcast but dry—ideally in June, or July at the latest. This kind of weather helps your climber heal from the cuts without too much stress. While you’re at it, clear out any deadwood and thin out any diseased or stunted vines.
Pro Tip: Always make your cuts just above a leaf bud (node) and cut at a slight angle to help water run off.
Handle Your Mountain Clematis with Care
During the first two years, your mountain clematis doesn’t really need much maintenance in the pruning department. It actually prefers to be left alone so it can focus on growing strong and covering your facades, fences, or balconies with lush greenery.
A clear sign that your Clematis is ready for a trim is if it starts looking “leggy” or bare at the bottom. If that happens, you can perform a rejuvenation prune over the course of a few years to bring back the fullness. On the other hand, you can deadhead wilted flowers immediately (snip the withered bloom plus the closest pair of leaves) to prevent the plant from putting energy into seed pods.
The Secret to Success: The “Training Cut”
To live up to its reputation as a vigorous climber, Clematis montana ‘Rubens’ really benefits from a “training cut” early on. If you planted your young alpine clematis in late summer (the best time for root growth!), it will quickly shoot out long, wild vines.
In its first November or December, you should actually cut these back to about 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm) from the ground. I know it feels drastic, but trust me! The result is a much bushier plant with better branching and a sturdy foundation for a spectacular bloom come spring.
