Question
Zone 5 - northwest Missouri
I have two clematis about 3 yrs old on a small trellis on the front porch.  Haven't a clue as to the group/variety.  What would be a safe pruning effort since I don't know the group? I saved the tag for some long time, but have lost it.  Don't know anything except it's purple and not a Jackmanii.
Thanks for your opinion.

Answer
Hi Rosalie,
Thanx for your question.  If you can determine whether your clematis was an early or late bloomer or large flowering hybrid then these instructions I'm including should nail your answer.  Otherwise, unless it's such a totally disordered mess that you can hardly stand to look at it, I would leave it alone this season and make a determination and then follow the instructions included.  If you must prune it soon, do so as minimally as you can just to keep the plant tidy.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1247.html  Many of the state universities are treasure troves of botanical, horticultural and agricultural information.  I hope this helps.

Tom