The top growth was deliberately cut before the Clematis was sent to you. The root system is what matters. Clematis from Brushwood should have well developed roots, enough to give you some blooms this year.

You should have planted your new Clematis deep enough (with the crown 3-4" below the surface). You also need to pinch new shoots several times to encourage branching. If you will do this, you will have a nice size bushy Clematis by the end of the growing season. And a fully established plant in a couple of years.

Yup. I ordered and received 36 clematis plants form Brushwoods this spring and almost all of them have had some buds. Great plants with great root systems.

Yea! I'm excited!
@alina_1...i pinched off one of the little shoots like you suggested, very hard to do by the way. Lol. So far it's been slow to grow. Can hardly wait to see it grow big.

You have to be patient :)
Two new shoots will grow from the node below the pinched branch. When they will have a couple of leaf nodes, pinch them too.
You'll be amazed how fast your new Clemmie will grow next year. And you will be awarded with a bushy plant.
If you did not plant it deep enough, you can re-plant it this fall.

Patient? I'm not familiar with that word and none of my dictionaries have it listed. ;)