I usually cut my type 2 clematis all the way back after they finish their first bloom and get a full second flush later in the season.

Oh-all the way back-like in half? Or futher down. I stink at clematis pruning, I'm always afraid I'll kill them.

I don't think it's possible to kill a clematis by pruning. They love it. I cut them all the way back. If you're more comfortable leaving the bottom two leaf nodes on each stem do that. I'll try to find a picture of one I pruned all the way back.

You can't kill a Clematis by pruning it. They love it. Seriously.

The only picture I found was from 2006 so it's pretty old. I grow Carnaby in a half barrel under two very large evergreen trees that are in my neighbor's yard but extend well over the fence and keep too much of my yard in shade. It's in the container because the roots are so thick there it wouldn't stand a chance in the ground. It fades badly in the sun so I wanted it there. The first picture was made on July 2 after it had finished it's first flush of bloom and the second was made on September 29 after it grew back and bloomed.I sometimes cut them back closer than this.

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