Loveshydrangeas, it is difficult to properly identify any clematis from one flower, especially when the plant is not mature because the flowers on a juvenile plant may or not resemble what the flowers will look like once the plant is mature. The number of sepals (petals) on a clematis can vary so just because your one flower only has four sepals now doesn't mean that the other buds you have coming on will only have four sepals. Even if they do all have four sepals, that doesn't mean that flowers on a mature plant will only have four sepals.

Another thing to realize is that new immature plants should be pinched out as they grow since as you have seen, if you don't, you end up with one vine that is extremely long instead of having multiple stems coming up out of the ground. If the clematis were mine, I would immediately cut the main stem back to about 6 to 8 inches and repot it in at least a gallon sized pot and let the plant remain there until it had filled the pot with roots. I know you are probably thinking what is he talking about--cut off the blooms?!?. New plants need to develop a good root system and that should be your main interest now, not the flowers. If the plant is already in a one gallon pot and the roots have filled the pot, I would wait until later in the fall to plant it in your garden in an area where it would get morning sun, but then some protection from the intense afternoon sun in your growing zone.

I say wait until later in the fall to plant it since it is probably in the 90s where you live and you said previously that things are struggling with the summer heat and humidity where you live. I also recommended planting it where it gets afternoon shade since we can't really tell whether it is a type II clematis which tend to brown out here in my zone 7a garden in the summer and will likely do the same in your zone OR whether you have a type III clematis, possibly a viticella, which would do better in the full sun in your zone.

Regardless of what you do, you don't need to leave your clematis in the same pot it is currently in for several years. If the roots are filling the bottom portion of the pot, it is time to replant it into a larger pot. If the current pot is a gallon sized container and the roots have filled it now or by the end of this summer, then I would plant it in the ground this fall. When you do plant, remember to plant the clematis so that it is several inches deeper in the ground than it is currently planted in its current pot. Doing so buries dormant nodes that can develop new stems for your plant and can help it survive a bout of clematis wilt should that happen.

Good luck with your clematis and I hope I have clarified and not confused you!

Hi Neighbor..I just live North of you on Lake Conroe...Miguel gave you some great advice..The key to successfully growing Clematis in such a warm zone is to make sure and plant them 2-4 inches deeper like Miquel said and they like to stay moist..mulch good..keeping mulch away from vine..they want their roots to stay shaded and cool or do some underplanting that won't be in competition with your Clematis..put a handful of bonemeal in that hole when you plant..remember keep it moist ..I water almost every other day here since it's been so hot..good luck...Jeanne

Miguel & Jeanne,

Thank you guys so much! Miguel, I appreciate the time you took to give such a detailed reply - makes perfect sense. When I first got the vine it didn't seem to grow at all, then I blinked and it was huge! I'll cut it off - don't mind sacrificing a few flowers now to get a great, strong vine down the road. It's also interesting to hear about the number of petals perhaps not meaning much right now - did not know that. I appreciate the comments so much - thanks again. What did we do before the Internet? I LOVE THIS SITE.