Kris...You must take into account that your clematis is a newly planted one and still a baby!!I know Miguel has this one and can probably elaborate on it..It's a Pruning group 3 which means it is hard pruned each late winter/early spring for it blooms on the new vines produced during the growing season...It is quite common for Clematis to "rest" and seem as if they have stopped and are doing nothing ...and then a month or so they start growing again..It will be about 9 feet tall when mature which is a few years from now..remember clematis are the 1st year they sleep,2nd year they creep and third year they leap..You can prune it back by 1/2 and it will grow again and bloom or you can leave it alone and it will grow some more and bloom later on the newer vines it produces...If it was me..I would prune it back as this will also serve a very important purpose of letting the roots get stronger and bigger which will benefit your clematis in years to come...Jeanne

Other than it being newly planted, as Jeanne notes, this is not a large vine anyway. The breeder/developer, Raymond Evison, asserts that it will get to only about 6' and my own experience supports this. Personally, I'd be reluctant to cut it back anytime soon, as this is a pretty intensively blooming clematis - mine was not out of bloom at all for the entire season last year. Evison himself considers it to be the longest blooming of any of his introductions.

I agree with Jeanne. It is a new plant and it is still trying to get established. Mine has been in the ground for several years and it probably tops out at about 5 feet tall or so.

I am not sure why Gardengal suggests not cutting it back since this will encourage new shoot development and therefore more blooms. Mine has burned itself out at least once in my garden last year due to intense heat and lack of rainfall and cutting it back provided me with new vines and more blooms.

Hey ...good to know it only gets about 5 feet tall...I thought I had read taller on COTW..if so..Miguel you might want to notify Richard and tell him...If it only gets that tall..I have the purfect spot for one...thanks for filling me in...Jeanne

Jeanne, different people will have different experiences as far as height goes for any clematis. I only use those numbers as general guidelines and don't sweat it if the plants stay smaller or get larger than stated.

Well you know this Texas Sun and Soil..things do get bigger here..LOL..So I always hafta have a good idea or I've had the weenie if that bugger outgrows where I put it...Hugzzzz...Happy 4th Everyone...Jeanne

I only suggested not cutting it back now, as the vine is apparently in the middle of its extended bloom cycle. It just seemed to me to be counterproductive to cut back a vine in full bloom if there is no pressing need. If for some reason blooms slow or stop, then by all means cut it back if you wish and of course, be sure to do so before the start of the next season.

I understand your position GG. Mine however is that this is a new plant that was just obtained and planted 2.5 months ago. For me, the first year in the ground is a critical period for any plant, not just clematis. During that year, the plant is getting settled into its new home and the establishment of a good root system and as much photosynthetic capacity is of critical importance. Blooms should be secondary to the two previously mentioned items. I know that it is often difficult to tell someone to cut back a clematis that is blooming, but it is for the plant's best interests long term. Cutting it back now would allow the roots to have less top growth to have to support until the buds break in the axiallary nodes. Cutting it back now would suspend blooming allowing the plant to get established. Furthermore, if any of the blooms have gotten fertilized, then they will be removed and necessarily so since seed production takes a large amount of energy from the plant and a newly planted clematis should not be taxed with seed production. I routinely pull any developing seed heads that might form on newly planted clematis the first year they are in my garden so that the energy is not wasted on seed production, but rather is used for top growth and root development, as well as storing food for the plant to survive its first winter in the ground on. As the new foliage emerges after pruning, it provides extra photosynthetic capacity that is used for energy production and the energy stored in the crown for the following year. Just my take on the care of any plant the first year in the ground. Concentrating on blooms the first year in the ground is just counter productive in my opinion! :)

I just had to go out and check my Harlow Carr. I forgot it was there! It is in its second season in my garden, planted next to the rose Westerland. One thing I don't like about it is that is doesn't climb by twining. Instead you have to physically wind it or attach it to the structure or shrub. As my garden duties are stretched to the max, it is a chore I often forget, and so I'm not a fan. Also it is not a showy clem, kind of reminds me of the blooms of Polish Spirit (a clem I love by the way, for different reasons) and sort of fades into the background. I'm still going to give it a chance, because it is still blooming and has been for a very long time. Perhaps the claims are right about that.

I agree with everyone who has contributed here - cutting it back will only help the root structure which clems need to push up those long stems and bloom prolifically. Leave some to provide for photosynthesis and wait for a spectacular display - next year!

Gardening is an exercise in patience.

Evison's nursery has more info if you want to check it out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Guernsey Clematis

I disagree Linrose. I find Harlow Carr to be a very nice clematis and its blooms remind me of Durandii in form. I like the clematis and it climbs on its own for me but it is planted between a privet and an area where I have green vinyl coated fencing so it sort of self supports itself.

What is there not to like about this cutie's little face?
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OK, OK, she's cute, but I hate training her up that particularly thorny monster of a rose called 'Westerland'. I always come out looking like I've been mauled by a cougar! My fault for choosing it for that location. Evison groups this one in his "Victorian" collection, I suppose it does have that old fashioned look to it. I just wish it had twining petioles.

BTW, how different is it from C. durandii? I've never grown it. I have to try some of the integrifolias and other non-clinging clematis. I'm just not sure how to use them yet. Probably won't put them next to roses though!

Miguel..how beautiful hon..love the perky way the tepals stand up and smile!!...Jeanne

Durandii is similar looking but for me, has never had anywhere as many blooms as Harlow Carr does.

Here is a link that might be useful: Durandii