Really depends on which Clematis they are and how old they are. Some would benefit from harder pruning than that.

Where I am if I cut back my type 3's, which bloom relatively late, after they bloom, they'd be putting out a lot of new growth just before frost.

Last year I cut my Elsa Spath, Prince Philip and Dr. Ruppel (all Group 2) back after they bloomed just to see what would happen. They all bloomed again, Elsa the most prolifically...that's my girl! Then I worried that they wouldn't have enough juice to bloom this spring/summer but they are going strong as usual. I don't think I will try that again this year, though.

BTW, I cut all my Clems back to about six inches, regardless of Group, in November after it gets cold. I can't be bothered with keeping track and they all do fine.

Cutting them back after bloom won't affect next years bloom.

I'd do it since it worked for you.

Pruning helps Clematis. It doesn't hurt them unless you do it too close to frost.

I shouldn't have assumed the OP was talking about one blooming right now....

Thanks buyorsell888. I'm going to prune them back hard as soon as they finish. For several years, they've been sending up a couple of pathetic vines, bloom and then do nothing. Warsaw Nike was my hope because it's supposed to bloom 'all summer' but it stopped. Ramona doesn't improve much year after year nor does one I can't remember but it's gorgeous. The vine dieback drives me nuts too. One or two vines will just quit while another one blooms. Never could figure that out. The roots are completely shaded, I compost, I water. I don't think I planted deep enough for optimal growth.

Westy

All mine except Ramona & QofS are done w/ their Spring show (Elsa, C de Bouchaud, Marie B, Cezanne, P Chiffon) a couple have a vine or 2 going thru beginnings of sudden wilt. Perhaps I should prune (by how much?) & fertilize, to encourage new growth & another surge?

Appreciate thoughts ~ TIA!!!

All mine except Ramona & QofS are done w/ their Spring show (Elsa, C de Bouchaud, Marie B, Cezanne, P Chiffon) a couple have a vine or 2 going thru beginnings of sudden wilt. Perhaps I should prune (by how much?) & fertilize, to encourage new growth & another surge?

Appreciate thoughts ~ TIA!!!

Pruning and fertilizing with alfalfa especially helps pathetic scraggly vines.

My Ramona only blooms once a year no matter what I do to her.I do not grow Warsaw Nike

Sorry I just posted this ? on another thread, patience please ~

In search of Alfalfa pellets last Spring, the only thing available are bails of alfalfa ~ I ended up using Tomato Tone 'til I find some.
Meantime, I took a visiting Granddau to a horse farm for some classes this summer & found they fed their horses alfalfa mix ~ they gave me a couple of small bails for a few $$. After blooming done, pruned ~ soaked & clipped the smallish bail & surrounded the base of each of my clems. Is this how it is done if using raw/dried alfalfa & not pellets?

Your thoughts please? TIA