I'd wait since you just fertilized them. I use manure (store bought, composted, never fresh) in the very early spring and we apply a mulch of compost every year. Depends on when we get to it.

One other point is that the manure you are purchasing,if you are purchasing it, is or should be composted manure and composted manure=compost.

buyorsell and nckvilledudes, thank you for your advice. I bought a bag of composted steer manure at Lowe's today because I was there buying other things, so I'll just keep it in the garage and apply some later on.

Thanks again.

I add a few shovel fulls of well rotted steer or sheep manure around the base of our 60 or so clematis plants 2 or 3 times during the season. No problems and prolific blooms. Compost is 'more or less' the same. I don't use any chemical fertilizers or 'fresh' manure. Well rotted manures and compost slowly release throughout the season, add richness and 'build' the soil. No need for chemicals if you have good gardening practices.

alpiner, thanks for weighing in. I've never been a big chemical user. I did get some organic rose food for these, but using manure seems even better.

Do you use the manure whether or not they're in bloom?

Thanks.