Hard prune it the first couple years in early spring. I accidentally chopped mine to a 6 inch twig a couple years ago and it is now the best grower I have. It is a very easy clem for me and definitely worth trying! I now have even more breaks coming out from the base this year! I can't wait to see her this season.

Second year growth
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Once you understand the proper conditions of clematis..they truly aren't hard as long as you place and give them what they need..Clematis "Crystal Fountain" is a stunning clematis and with all clematis it takes years and patience..never expect much immediately from your pruning group 2's..Mine is now 4 years old and I get more joy from her with each passing year..first year I only had a few blooms and each year you get more and more as your clematis grows taller and sends up more shoots from the soil...Jeanne

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Thank you both! Your photos are inspiring, I think I will go for it. Even if it takes a while, I'd love to have those blooms on the fence at the back of my perennial bed!

I love that one!
kay

Mine has been slow but only because I foolishly mail ordered it from Park's not realizing they were going to send a bare root stick that was almost dead.

I'll no doubt have to get mine via mail as well. There are two local nurseries where I go for the less run-of-the-mill plants, and neither carries it.

I got mine from Bluestone Perennials. It was in 2.5" pot (Donahue's baby). I bought it on 50% off sale, so I paid about $5 for it. It performed very well for me.
Here is a picture of it about 3 months after I got it:

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