wintering clematis

Question

Should the clematis vines be cut near the soil and then mulched or do I just deadhead and leave the vines on the trellis and mulch their roots?

I have been leaving them on the trellis but they seem to get thinner and less “bloomy” each year. If I cut them back, will they send new shoots up in the spring? The vines are at least 12 years old.

Answer 1

They do survive in your area without much help, but you can give it a little boost. Cut it back to half size after dormancy, and fertilize in the spring. Here is an article for more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/clematis/growing-clematis.htm