How tall any clematis will grow will vary from garden to garden and zone to zone. No one can give you a firm estimate as to how tall your Ville de Lyon will grow when it is mature. The numbers listed most places for heights of clematis are generalizations and should be used as just guides. Yours could get taller or be shorter than what is listed anywhere you might get the information.

Since the plant is a type III, it should be pruned back when you start seeing any of the nodes begin to swell. If you are in a colder zone, then pruning won't hurt it at all even if the buds have begun swelling. Mine in my zone 7a garden were pruned back in late December/early January. You could easily prune yours back then as well if you can manage to find it under the snows you all might have at that time.

Tks nck!
I'm in a very cold zone. Are nights still hover around the freezing mark. I just checked on my little baby. There are few buds emerging on the only 2 stems I have, close to the base of the plant. I'm scared to hurt or damage it if I prune it too soon. I read that I should prune it 8" above the ground, but if I see buds higher that 8" can I prune above those buds?

Believe me, you won't hurt it pruning it too low on the vines. Type IIIs bloom only on old wood so removing as much of the older wood will only benefit the plant.

Ok. I'll prune it today, it's going to be warm (13) and sunny. I love this website! Thank you so much for your help. As a beginner gardener, it's so nice to have people like yourself taking your time to help amateurs! It means alot!

No problem. Glad to help.