Question
Hi. I live in southeastern Ohio.  I have a clematis that i planted last summer.  It bloomed small white flowers.  In the fall I cut it back.  It has grown beautifully this summer but it still has yet to bloom and I'm wondering if I haven't done something to hurt it.  If so, how do you properly winterize the clamatis plant?  Thank you for any help you can give me.  Amie  

Answer
Hello Amie!

Clematis is a relatively simple, trouble free vine that comes in many varieties.  Some blooms on wood that is a year old.  Pruning at the wrong time risks removal of next season's flowers.  

Pruning to the ground won't affect Clematis that blooms on new growth.  You did not mention which Clematis you have but since you have already pruned all the way to the
base, you probably got lucky.  You can keep the growth this year and it will be even more lush next year.  Or you can prune it down again since that has worked for you already and you can just repeat your previous system.  As casual as it was, you did the right thing.

Some very clear instructions at the Iowa State Extension website (www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/RG307.pdf#search='clematis%20stalks').  You need Adobe Acrobat to see this.

Remember to fertilize faithfully and try to keep your Clematis roots in the shade, watered.  Cedar mulch is popular because it is fairly waterproof and does not retain moisture, but it shades the roots.   Be VERY CAREFUL not to break the stalks as they reach the crown at the base of the plant.  It can be fatal.

Don't worry too much about mulching.  I think in this case, leaving your Clematis alone for the time being is probably the best thing you can do - just so you can see it bloom.