Suzy can probably answer this as she lives up North like you, but I imagine it's still early and maybe signs of growth should soon be appearing...make sure you fertilize and water...Jeanne

I live in Pa, zone 5. The clematis I put in last fall are all up. Five are up a good 12 inches and robust. One was pulled loose when the teepee fell over and it is coming along slowly but I am happy it is still alive. I paid about $20 a piece from Chalk Hill.
Aline

i live in NJ, zone 6, all my clematis plants that didn't die to the ground are up with about 12 inches of growth, as aline said.

those that did die to the ground haven't come up yet, so i'm crossing my fingers that these are developing new shoots underground as we speek. i expect not to get worried unless i see no growth by summer.

well I have a total of 4. Two of them by the mail box have already come up. The two I am talking about show nothing. The roots are moist and and not dried out. So I am wondering if it just needs time. Either way, how long do I wait before I call the nursery to resend? I got mine from whiteflowerfarms.

Vinny, I'm in zone 6 and almost all of my clematis are up and are showing growth now. If you purchased tiny little plants from White Flower Farm, then yours may not have made it through the winter. Many nurseries sell babies that are much too small to survive our winters. I would suggest ordering from the nurseries that specialize in clematis, mainly because they sell older 2-3 year old plants that have good,strong roots. Chalk Hill, Silver Star Vinery and Brushwood Nursery are the best on-line clematis nurseries, in my experience.
I'd contact White Flower Farms and get replacements. Then, pot these up for a year in 1/2 gallon containers. I bury the pots well in a sheltered place over winter and dig them out the following spring, planting them in their permanent spot. This method works well on these tiny, unfortunate babies that some nurseries sell. Good luck.
Suzy

Thanks. They asked me to call back by Mid May if I see no life. Interestingly all the plants I bought from them seem to show up late. I created a nice corner garden with a lamp post center. I wanted clematis to climb on it. That will complete my current project. Do you suggest I put the new clematis in a medium size pot and bury it in the assigned area of that corner garden? I will remove the pot during winter and plant it on the ground the following spring. Let me know if this will work.

Thanks
v

Yes Vinny, I would do that. The pot will keep the moisture level more constant and help the plant to survive. The pot also insulates the tender young roots in winter when they are most vulnerable. Just set the pot 2" lower than the soil line (if possible)and cover it well with soil, then water it well throughout summer-time.
Suzy

That is a fantastic idea. Thanks suzy. I wish I knew this last year. Now In have to deal with replacement from the nursery.

Vinny, I would give them more time. I have six which I purchased from WFF last Spring. The Claire de Lunes took a long while to grow, and remained very tiny last season. Now they are up again. One Jackmani died of wilt, but I am still hopeful that there may have been growth underground and that a new shoot will appear.