Marie, can you wait until they are done blooming and then only cut them back far enough to free the arbor? If you can do that, you can give them temporary trellises and fasten the clems to them with plant clips. This is one of the type 2 clematis that grows well for me also. If not you can always cut them back, and they will grow back some this year and most probably bloom next year, though they may not be as tall.

For sure, Barb, I will let them finish blooming. At the pace we are moving, the arbor will fall down before we take it down. I even have some temporary trellises. This year I am experimenting (euphemism for being lazy and behind schedule) and haven't cut any of the clems back. yet.

Can I trim back Etoile V, The President and Jackmanii now? Will they just bloom later?

Thanks,

Marie

Marie, If they were mine, I would cut Etoile Violet and Jackmanii back some, but not as low as the 2 or 3 pairs of buds that I usually do. That's just a guess though not based on knowledge. The President is a type 2, not a hard prune, so wait until after it blooms and just trim it back a bit if you want. I usually don't prune mine back except for shape since I never get a second bloom on type 2 regardless.