Hi Sarah, I was hoping that someone else with this clematis could give you some insight, but here goes. I have Candida and it has been in my garden for 3 years. It was placed in an area that wasn't so great and didn't grow well so I moved it this spring. It was in an area that it kept getting stepped on (don't ask). Now that it is safe from someones big feet, it is growing vigorously with lots of new stems. Mine is blooming now and most of my group 2's bloom all summer with the heaviest bloom in spring. It is pruning group 2 which is "light prune" but I prune all of my 2's and 3's the same (chop,chop,chop)for at least the first few years and actually, most years after that as well. You can plant the one you are talking about in the ground now. As to how big it gets, I'm not sure yet since mine is growing unhindered for the first time. I'm letting mine climb up through a big weigelia bush and if it chooses to scamper through the roses, that is okay too. BTW, I am a rose girl too with a huge clematis obsession.

Carol

Hi Carol, Thanks so much for responding to my post! I just blew the budget at the David Austin Roses sale table; I'll have to see if I can still swing that clematis now...! My family may have to eat Easy-Mac all week, ha ha ha! (just kidding) I have a rose obsession and see myself starting a clematis obsession. I'm so glad I discovered this website and that there are others like me! Your info was very helpful - I think I'll go pick Candida up and see what happens. I'm hoping she'll get big and scamper through my roses too. When you chop it do you take it to the ground? Thanks!
Sarah

I guess you could say that. It got stomped and broken off to the ground...it proceeded to put up a bunch of new stems and took off growing. Ideally, cut them back to the 3rd leaf axil. I have cut mine back to the ground purposefully though.

Carol