When they say Clematis need shady roots they really mean moist roots. Full sun is just fine in Portland. Some blooms fade a bit but we aren't sunny enough to bother the vines unless they dry way out.

Gallon pots aren't big enough for long though. You want at least 18" pots for Clematis long term. They can outgrow the gallons by this fall.

Pruning them hard when you planted is good. I hope you also planted them deeper. If not, when you move them up, do so. At least three inches deeper than they were.

Wow, thank you! That's exactly the type of info I needed and wasn't finding in all my desperate internet searches!

It's hard to say whether I planted them deeper than they were, since they were so pot-bound when I got them. I'm so used to houseplants that I did what I normally do, and just matched the top of the old pot to the new soil line. Should I have buried some of the vine?

I'm happy to see that you're in Portland, so you know exactly what I'm dealing with. What do you think I should do in the winter, and when? Am I supposed to do another hard prune at some point every year?

I saw your post offering the rosy o'grady and I'm terribly tempted, but I'm still feeling out of my element with outdoor gardening in general. I have the perfect spot for it and would love to have it, but I'd feel so guilty if I didn't do well with it!

You should always plant Clematis at least three inches deeper, burying the vines.

You don't need to do anything for winter but keep them watered if they are under cover and not rained on. They do not need frost protection here, even in containers.

I would be happy to give you the Rosy O'Grady. It does need a bigger pot right away though. I crammed it in one I had sitting around. It looks like nothing but the whacked off stems are sprouting and it is alive.

Thank you! I emailed you about the Rosy O'Grady. :0)