I live along the CT coast in Z6 and have had this clematis (and a few others) for about 8 years. It's planted in an open area behind a Karl Forster grass and faces west; so it gets great sun. My husband has installed a sprinkler system and so Nelly also gets good water.

I've never pruned it and, frankly, it's a mess. It resembles a rat's nest. Despite this neglect, Nelly has traveled all the way up along the railings and to the deck floor.

I'm including 3 photos to show its base, midpoint, and nearer to the top. The 4th photo shows what it looked like in 2012. I think the fact that I've ignored pruning has caused it to languish and become sparse, less lush.

Here are my questions:

Should I cut it all the way back and leave just a few stems?

Should I prune back to a bud on the strongest looking stems?

Should I only leave stems that have buds?

At the ground, it grows in front of and behind the lattice.

Halfway up the lattice, it's a tangled mess.

Up at the deck surface, Nelly has sprawled in all directions.

The photo, below, shows what she looked like in 2012, behind the grass and next to some hosta plants, which have been reduced.

Thank you for any suggestions.

Molie