Harry, I had a Sputnik plant that I purchased and planted last fall from Dan at Brushwood Nursery. The plant came in a quart sized pot. This spring the plant put out one bloom down low on the plant and the overall height of the plant when it put out its bloom was one foot tall or so. I allowed the flower to develop and then picked it to enjoy inside the house. The plant has since then shot up and grown up to three feet tall and already has more flower buds forming.

In my experience, once the plant has expended the energy to develop the bud, why not enjoy it. The plant will spend far more energy allowing the flower, if it is fertilized, to go to seed. I would personally enjoy the bloom either on the plant and then pinch any developing seedhead off or pick the flower and enjoy it in your house.

Sputnik early with flower down low.

{{gwi:585545}}

Sputnik picked and in center of picture.

{{gwi:585547}}

If my plant had vigorous foliage like yours, I would be less worried. But I like your advice. Do clematis blooms last in a vase? Never thought of that. Your picture is beautiful.

I would let it bloom. There is no harm in it. I would cut off the spent bloom and not let it go to seed.

I bought a one gallon sized Rhapsody yesterday. It is only 12" tall but has about 8 stems and about 6 blooms on it. They are a different mauvey purple. Had to have it.

Harry some clematis blooms last quite a while and others fade quickly but it has never stopped me from picking more to replace the ones that fade too fast!

I will always leave the first bud to flower, to be more certain that it is not mislabeled, I got a 4 inch pot of "Ruutel" 2 years ago that bloomed pink. Not exactly sure what kind it is, but it is very healthy, still pale pink last year. My second 4 inch pot of "Ruutel" bought last year really is.

Even a reputable nursery can make mistakes. Last summer on sale I bought a 2 year old unlabeled one, except for a sticky l on the pot saying Bee's Jubilee. But when it finally bloomed in October it was another Ramona. They offered to exchange it or give me a credit because they didn't have any more BJs & weren't planning to reorder. But it looked so good I was satisfied with it.

I hadn't pinched any of my young plants/buds before, but this year I am going to try it.

Marie