I've found this instruction from Hummingbird helpful. The key is amend soil + plant deep -- I've seen knowledgeable people here even recommend 4 inch deep.

Your plant is beautiful!

Thank you!!

Great link, eri54. The only exception to their directions would be if you have dense clay soil that doesn't drain well. Clematis like the classic moist, well-drained soil, and digging a giant hole and filling it with amended soil in non-draining clay creates a bathtub that drowns the plant. I also mulch around the plant to help keep moisture and temperature more even.

Something that I do that I rarely see discussed around here- I make rings around new plants to contain watering water and give it a moment to soak in.

I pay for my water- it annoys me no end to see any runoff when I water and I garden on a hill, so I had to come up with a plan.

I cut up my old black nursery pots (never toss a pot!)- cut off a top section maybe three or four inches wide. Then when I plant the new plant I settle this plastic "ring" around it set down into the soil a couple of inches. You can mulch over all of it so it doesn't even show if need be. Then when I water this little ring fills up and it holds the water for those ten seconds or so it takes it to soak in. No runoff and I target exactly where the water goes- to the roots of the new plant. The rings are easy to take off after the plant is established.

I also use "pound in edging" on the hills- I pound in two or three little sections of this on the down side of my slope and I can water and the water stays where I put it. Saves me time watering and gives me peace of mind that the money spent on water is put to it's intended use.

Pound in edging under a young cercis (wire cages are dog training tools/protection)-

Brilliant! Thank you!!!