Wow, gianty you can grow a type II, prune it hard, and still have it flower that same year with your being in zone 2/3? That is amazing. I have not previously seen anyone in your zone who can prune hard a type II and get blooms in the same year. Sorry, can't give you any suggestions since I don't garden in your zone and am more fond of the type IIIs. Perhaps someone else can answer your question.

As I understand group 2 is the one that blooms on old wood so pruning hard with short summer time will not get you very far.
I am not sure what clematis is hardy to zone 2 either.

Actually Lindalana, group IIs typically bloom on shoots that develop off of old wood so you can get blooms by trimming back a type II but what is amazing about gianty's situation is that he/she is in zone 2/3 and can get away with doing it to General Sikorski.

I know a Canadian that lived in their growing zone 0 (I think that is 1 in the US) She grew Clematis, but I don't know which ones. If anyone is interested, I'll ask her.

I would be interested for information sake Janet. I bet COTW would also like for both Gianty and your friend to contribute their information in their survey about clematis.

Here is a link that might be useful: COTW Survey

Ok.

She isn't on the forums as much as she was in the past, so it may take a few days before I hear from her.

No problem Janet. Time is free in my world and I will await your info!

In my zone just about all of the larger flowering hybrids old wood is wintered killed. That's why I grow mostly group 3's. Some group 2 b's grow fast enough and set bud soon enough I get a nice bloom in early fall. I've been able to keep my small collection alive for the past 17 years because I heavily mulch the base. Don't uncover to early and cut them back in the spring not in the fall. Some of the small flowering species like Tangutica will survive our winters, regrow and bloom from the old wood. Not my cup of tea. Later Gianty.

Gianty, make sure you use the link to COTW and participate in their survey. I figured in your zone that most type IIs would get frozen back.