Don't know about that specific cultivar Flowergirl since I don't grow it, but I have some clematis that are later than the others to show up in the garden. I think that they are the smart ones since winter weather can always return and kill the early risers back to ground level. Give it a while and it will more than likely show up.

Another point to consider is whether it is in area that gets less direct sun at this time of the year than the others that are up or if it is mulched more than the others. The air temps may be up but if it is in a protected area and/or mulched more heavily, the soil will be slower to warm up and can cause the clematis to wait until later to begin its growth.

Well, it gets plenty of direct sun, but I do have it mulched heavily, guess I'm just jumping the gun here. Thanks for the reply.

No problem. I have several US native clematis (viorna, glaucophylla, addisonii, and pitcheri) that are always late coming up. I always think I have lost them and then they show up on their own sweet time. As I said before in the past, clematis take patience--in germinating them from seed (some can be quick), in getting them to full maturity and in full blooming form, and for some, in getting them up and going in the spring! Don't give up on it too soon!

I used to have a small native-it had a small navy bell-very cute. The leaves were quite small and it seeded down everywhere. I never did know what it was. All gone now. I see in a picture you have a green fence around D of A. I'm thinking I need to do this as we have a new fox terrier pup. They are terrible about just rushing up and grabbing a mouthful of whatever I'm working on. Don't know whatever posessed me to think I could raise another pup at my age. Is it time for the first feed? I never know whether to fertilize them when it can still get cold.

Different people have different views on the whole fertilization timing. I personally like to wait until the weather breaks and the fertilizer I am applying is not going to cause premature growth when I can still get frosts. It will probably be the middle to end of April before I even think about fertilizing my clematis in zone 7a NC. The clematis are up and growing but we had a severe cold snap last mid-April that zapped many plants. No need to force any additional growth that could get zapped in my estimation.

From the description you gave, it sounds like you might have had either an integrifolia or even perhaps a scotti or hirsutissima or fremonti. A picture would help in the ids. I would love for any of those to be prolific reseeders in my garden.

Flowergirl, Carol Lim, a good friend of mine, has a website with pictures of a lot of the US natives in the viorna family. I will post a link and you can see if you can identify the native you used to have that reseeded. Integrifolia won't be listed since it is not a US native but here is a web address to a picture of it:

http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=219

Here is a link that might be useful: American Bells Website

I had a look at the pics. The only one thats close is hirsutissima, however its non-climbing and the one I had climbed. I sold a lot of these at plant sales. If I can find anyone that still has one I'll try to get you some seeds. As I remember it was a prolific bloomer.
I think I'll hold off on fertilizing for a bit. The only problem here is they set buds so quickly, and I've heard not to fertilize after bud set. what do you think?

Thanks Flowergirl. I will gladly take any seeds if you find any. As for fertilizing, it is generally said not to fertilize clematis once they start budding up and getting ready to flower or in flower as it is said to shorten the bloom time. However, if you use a slow release organic fertilizer, I personally don't think it affects them at all--even when in full bloom. I have used alfalfa pellets in the past when they were flowering and it didn't seem to affect the bloom. I think the issue is more of one when you use a synthetic fertilizer that dumps its nitrogen too quickly.