You should have pruned it early this spring, late winter. That would have caused it to put out more vines and blooms.

If it were mine I'd prune it after these blooms are done. Hard down to the last pair of buds. Then again next late winter/early spring when you prune roses in your climate.

Newly planted clematis are generally pruned back hard before new growth starts in the spring for the first two or three years to help get roots established. Prune as buyorsell888 said above and then keep pinching to help it branch.

Thank you both for your words of wisdom. It finally stopped pouring here, so I pruned it all the way back. I can't wait to see how my plant does.

When I first began growing clematis, I experienced a few years of frustration trying to figure out what their wants & needs were. Finally, working up to about 40 varieties in my gardens, I've had excellent success keeping these basics in mind:

* SUPPORT - Provide a sturdy support tall enough to accommodate the variety's height, and something for the vine's petioles to wrap around securely as they climb, so they don't crack or break. (I use bird netting or trellises with small diameter framework or wire)
Plants such as roses (a lovely, classic combination) give clematis a natural support to climb and also provide shade for the roots, which prefer to be kept cool.

* FERTILIZER!! - (can't stress enough)
Most important - use a low nitrogen fertilizer in early spring (I use 10-20-10). I also fertilize once or twice more during the growing season with 10-10-10.

* WATER - supply sufficient moisture, but don't let roots sit in soggy soil. Provide good drainage.

If you make those 3 things priorities, you should have very good results.

One other tip - when planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the pot the plant is in, add organic matter (compost, leaf mold)and plant 3-4" deeper than soil level in the pot.

It all becomes second nature after a time and the rewards are priceless.

Good luck!