It sure doesn't look happy anna. I'd try fertilizing once every two weeks until you see some flower buds. You should have had blooms by now I think, and that foliage is just pitiful. How much did it grow last year?
Christine.

Anna, if it doesn't have any buds on it I would cut it back...in half even. This should encourage new growth from the bottom. For this season I would not encourage blooms...let the roots get good and strong first. I don't know your zone but here I cut that one back to about 6" tall in March and fertilize with tomato fertilizer. I bet it will be much happier next season. Also, make sure it's getting ample water without overdoing it. Jackmanii is a strong clematis so be patient. Hard at times, I know, but you will be rewarded!
Tanya

It didn't grow much last year, only about 3 feet tall. But last year it had multiple vines, was bushier, and it bloomed for me (although not very many flowers) I did cut it back some this spring, but it seemed to be only cutting the dead vines off. All the new growth came from one new shoot that came up. (I did not prune or cut the new shoot)

The biggest reason I am questioning this is because my other clem (which was planted around the same time, came from the same nursury and has recieved the same care) Looks lovely. It's bushy and full and flowering as I type. Although all of it's new growth came off of the old vines. I didn't cut this one down in spring because it hardly grew at all last year and there wasn't much to cut.

I think I'll try cutting it back a bit, and giving it some fertilizer... I have some "all purpose plant food" which I believe is 20-20-20, would that be ok? I don't care wether or not it blooms this year, it would be nice to see a bloom or two but I won't die if I don't (lol). Im trying really hard to be patient. I know it can take a long time for clems to establish and really show what they can do, but the little taste I have now (with the other clem blooming) has me hankering for more!! This is definately an addictive plant. I wish I had more spaces that would be suitable for them.

Oh BTW theese plants were also well rooted in 1 gallon pots when I got them...

I couldn't tell from the photo, but are the roots shaded by another plant or compost. Their feet like to be in the shade, I plant a hosta at their feet. I wouldn't use 20-20-20, I go to Wally World and buy some tomato fertilizer and probably a bit of epson salts would make it happy.

Sometimes I think fertilizer is NOT what a young plant wants. I think pruning it back by half was good advice and that you need to concentrate on root development more than blooms.
Don't compare the two clematis. It is like comparing children or sisters. They are NOT the same. Just nurture them.
I don't know about NS, but Ontario has had a brutal season so far. 97F here today, no rain since May.

I have just been reading that HH can develop wilt and does on occasion. You might want to look at this exchange:
http://www.gardenbuddies.com/forum/messages/4298/1166771.html

There is a hosta planted at the clem's roots (The other clem does not- Okay fine I'll stop comparing them now LOL) And also a layer of leaves remaining from last fall. Our weather has been... interesting. When we get sun, it is very hot and humid. But we have not had much sun. Lots of overcast, drizzly days. Although not a whole lot of actual rain.

I'm going to bite the bullet and prune it down tonight. Although I really would like to leave it and see if it will bloom, I'm mpre concerned about the long-term health and happiness of the plant (plus one stringy vine with no leaves and a flower on top isn't exactly apealing) It is a little fuller at the bottom, so I think I'll cut it back to where it really looks leggy (just above the floor of the porch) Maybe I'll get lucky and still get a bloom or two off of it later. Last year it seemed like jack bloomed untill it snowed! (Ok maybe not that long, but definately into the fall)

I will also pick up some more appropriate fertilizer if I don't have any.... I vaugly recall having some tomato food lying around somewhere...

After writing all this it just occurd to me. Could my plant be having trouble because I let it bloom last year? I didn't dead-head it or anything... It might explain why the other clem is doing so much better... it barely even grew last year let alone bloom... Maybe Jack is just not as established as it should be?

Deadheading will encourage more blooms for the immediate season but will have nothing to do with the next season's blooms. Deadheading isn't really relevant to your Jack's
legginess. A good pruning and a large dose of patience...prune back to 6" in the early spring, feed tomato fertilizer...sit back and watch it grow and flower nicely in '06!
Tanya

I agree with Tanya. Prune it back to 6" because it is a Type 3 and it will bloom only on new wood. You've got its feet covered, so it needs to develop its roots and don't fertilize either. You will be surprised how well it will do next summer as they do bloom later, mine has just started and it is now July 17th. Godo luck.