Missed Pruning After Flowering

Question

I’ve missed pruning my lavender, clematis, and scarlet trumpet honeysuckle following flowering this year. Should I prune them in the fall or hard prune next spring? I live in Northeast Ohio, which is now Zone 6a. Thanks so much for your guidance.

Answer 1

Prune clematis depending on when it blooms. If it blooms in spring, it should be trimmed after flowering to prevent cutting off next year's blooms. If yours is spring flowering and it hasn't been trimmed, it is too late now. Wait till after it blooms again in spring.

If your clematis vine blooms in summer or fall, wait till next spring to prune. This article should help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/clematis/pruning-clematis-vines.htm

For lavender, it is too late in the season to prune. Wait until spring and follow these instructions:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/lavender/pruning-lavender.htm

Trumpet honeysuckle blooms on new growth so you can prune it in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.

https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/coral-honeysuckle/