Not necessarily expected but pretty common. Clematis are not instant gratification plants. Best to concentrate on root and stem growth for first few years. Prune and pinch to encourage multiple stems. A nice healthy plant with multiple stems is better than a scraggly one with flowers.

Clematis are set into four categories. Some bloom only on new wood and some Bloom on old wood. They require different pruning techniques and some should not be pruned at all. Try to find out which type you have and do some research. Good luck with it.

I agree with BorS. The issue is not unexpected :-) Sometimes you will get precocious flowering on very young plants but 3-5 years before a clematis vine hits its stride is pretty typical. Tie Dye is also a pruning group 3 variety or a late flowering hybrid and IME, these are slower to start producing heavy flowering than the other types. They also tend to flower later in the season than the other types, especially in more northern climates. I am still waiting to see significant budding on my type 3's here.....season doesn't usually start until at least July, sometimes later. Young clems are also heavy feeders as well so I would fertilize liberally when you prune in spring and then maybe once or twice again during the growing season. Rose or tomato fertilizer is great, especially if they contain alfalfa meal. If not, supplement with alfalfa pellets or tea.

btw, pruning guidelines for clems are just that.....guidelines only. You can grow a clem perfectly well without any pruning at all, although hard pruning of any type early in their garden life will help to establish a better and healthier vine with multiple stems from the root crown. After that, pruning is more of an aesthetic consideration than one of necessity. And any type can be pruned if required......it is only the timing that will vary depending on type.

Thanks for the reassurance. It has plenty of life. I was struggling with my impatience.

I'm into reading and rereading pruning guides for clematis because for at least 3 springs I

carefully pruned Guernsey Cream back an 1 inch and wondered why it bloomed so sparsley so late.

Hey Marie, so glad you got a Tie Dye...as you might now I love this variety. I am trying to recall (we have had it for many years) how it progressed year through year in the beginning but for sure give it 3 seasons to show its stuff.

Here is our single TD from last week:

Maybe it wont be an issue with yours but our lone TD has got clematis 'wilt' the last 2 years for sure. I had vowed that if it happened again I would either move it or get rid of it :(.

(I have looked around for another TD (for a friend) and I have trouble sourcing it)

Thanks, Rouge. I've been following your Tie Dye's progress. I can wait until next year. Still, I'd enjoy seeing just one flower before winter. Maybe by late summer it will gift me one this year.

Still, I'd enjoy seeing just one flower before winter.

It doesnt take much to make a gardener happy does it? ;)

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