How hard did you prune last year? It is generally recommended that any type of clematis get hard pruned (down to the first set of buds/leaf axils) for the first couple of seasons in the ground. That encourages a strong root system, multiple stems emerging form the root crown and a greater resistance to wilt. If it wasn't pruned hard last season, I'd do so this year. Now is typically the time to prune most clematis types - when you would prune roses or when the forsythia is blooming. Many folks also fertilize at this time as well. Nelly is a pruning group 2 clematis. After establishment (a couple of seasons of hard pruning) you want to prune lightly, removing about 16-18" from the top of the vine and cleaning up any dead or tangled stems. After the initial late spring/early summer bloom flush you can prune again lightly to encourage a late summer rebloom. The hard pruning your vine should receive now will not eliminate the early flowering but only delay it a bit. I also would not be overly concerned if your vine doesn't produce as many flowers as you would like - it takes from 3-5 years for them to establish well, mature and start putting on a good show.

I've had the same problem you've had with my Lincoln Star. Mine is 3-4 years old, with no problems growing & flowering, but the reddish bar color is very pale, during both 1st & 2nd blooms. I don't think fertilizer is the problem, because all my stock get the same regimen & this is the only problem child. Initially I thought it might be due to the very hot weather here (9a), but this should not affect the 1st bloom. I've layered one branch and thereafter plan to severely prune & move this one into another location. If this doesn't work I will probably try Carnaby, which is similar.

No, the bamboo is fine, just lost its painted on green. I'm talking about how long will the 5' bamboo stakes be LARGE ENOUGH to support the anticipated growth of this 2nd year Nelly Moser.

Around here type 2 prune clematis often get killed back to the snow line, so a hard prune certainly won't hurt her, and as Sheila said, will delay bloom to a bit later. I never get a second bloom on any of my type 2's, and don't know if you are likely to this year with a delayed first bloom. It may just be my growing season is too short for a second bloom. You can cut them all down (I usually cut to an inch or so above a bud pair) or if you leave a few stems you should get some early bloom on the old stems followed by bloom on the new growth from hard-pruned stems. You can prune back the older stems right after bloom. Thanks for the reminder to get out there and clean up one of my older, twiggier type 2's.