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How to maintain overgrown clematis "bushes" ('Blue Bird' and 'Polish Spirit') #928649

Asked April 16, 2026, 7:49 PM EDT

My Blue Bird clematis is 7-10 years old and a leafess thicket at the base, plant has completely covered the large 4' x 8' trellis it is on. It may not be sustainable in this form for much longer. I also have a bushy multistemmed Polish Spirit that is bare for the bottom 3', while the top is growing over several rose bushes, blocking a pathway and generally eating an entire area of the garden where I was looking to have it climb a gazebo corner and fill in the top. I realize I can just cut 1/3 - 1/2 of the stems down to the ground to thin out the existing foliage and fill in the lower areas but wanted to make sure I am not doing something stupid, or if there is a better approach.

Yamhill County Oregon

Expert Response

Gail, thank you for contacting Ask Extension. Your clematis are in two different pruning groups. Blue Bird is in Group 1, and Polish Spirit falls in Group 3. Here is an article about pruning based on the Group.  May-11-2019-Pruning-Clematis.pdf.

I particularly like this article because it reminds us that you can actually prune clematis early in the season by simply cutting it nearly to the ground. 

Even though it's a little late for severe pruning, you might try as you suggested, basically thinning it. I'm sure you could even prune by shortening either plant.

Next winter/early spring will be the best time to prune these two bushes into more controlled shape.

Best wishes.

Susan, Yamhill County Master Gardener

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 17, 2026, 2:38 PM EDT

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