Garden Care Guide

Winter Clematis Care

Clematis cirrhosa

An evergreen broom native to the Mediterranean that flowers in winter. It goes dormant in summer and wakes with the autumn rains; it likes a sunny spot with shaded base to keep its roots cool, and well-drained soil.

Hardy · -25 °C / -13 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Not required; winter precipitation is sufficient.
  • Pruning: Not needed. Pruning is done after flowering.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
February
  • Watering: Not needed; rainfall is sufficient.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: **The only suitable pruning time is this month.** After flowering, prune only to control the plant's size or remove dead or crossing branches. Regular pruning is not required.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for powdery mildew (white powder on the leaves).
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Prune as soon as flowering ends. Next year's flower buds form over the summer; late pruning reduces flowering. It flowers in winter and forms its buds on the previous year's shoots; pruning in spring removes flowering entirely. Its roots should be in shade and its shoots in sun.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: The plant is in complete dormancy.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • General care: The plant continues to rest.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • General care: The perfect time of year to plant a new seedling. With the first rains, the plant will quickly produce new shoots and buds.
  • Pests & diseases: When the rains begin, protect newly emerging shoots from snails and slugs.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Plant protection: Check the new shoots for aphids.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch out for aphids and snails.
November
  • Watering: Not needed; rainfall is sufficient.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for aphids.
  • General care: Flowering begins and continues throughout winter.
December
  • General care: Flowering begins. Evergreen leaves keep losing water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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