No, it is not common. My PD is also two years old. She has multiple shoots; I pinched them a couple of times. Is your PD in the shade? Was the rootball large when you planted her?

My PD is also not a very strong grower. She is in her third year here--one clump started growing all right (though not as vigorously as, say, a Jackmani, or even Rose Etoile)but the second clump, for the second year in a row, acted almost like it wasn't going to make it at all. Fortunately, it has put in a belated appearance, but is much less vigorous than the first clump.

I'm not sure what the problem is. Sometimes I think they do not like their location--they get western sun. They are well-mulched and surrounded by taller plants. Maybe I need to water them more--I'm not sure.

I'll be interested in reading anyone else's experience with this clem.

Kate

My Clematis "Princess Di" was gorgeous last year which was year 2 for her..she is slow going this year so time will tell....I have her planted with Clematis "Solina" and Solina is huge and blooming already..I found "Princess Di" was late to join the party last year as well...she sprung up and bloomed after I had hard pruned "Solina" the second time around...Jeanne