Too much growth and the roots can't support the plant. I've had new clematis that will dump one of 2 vines.

yep, cut it off. It will be fine. This is typical.

Thanks for the replies. So far, the other stem still looks fine, so I think you guys are right.

I didn't notice that you are from Wisconsin. Let me know how Fireworks does for you. I've had it for 4 or 5 years and I still haven't seen it bloom. It gets too much winter die back.

Interesting Janet. Nothing for me so far either, but they are young. One of my Bourbons has one bloom, but that is the only thing blooming for me yet. I will wait till next year to judge.

I have a feeling I may agree with you next spring though--the Bourbons are really outgrowing the Fireworks even though the Fireworks were supposed to be the taller of the two. Mine are pretty well sheltered from the worst of the winter conditions, but, well...it is still Wisconsin.

My Bourbon just started blooming too.
Gorgeous gorgeous blooms.

I bought a gallon pot sized Fireworks three years ago and it wilted away and is just now three feet tall with three blooms. Yet the garden I bought it from had one that was a monster and covered with blooms.

UPDATE: It appears that the problem was clematis wilt :( The remaining stem suddenly started wilting this weekend and a few of the leaves at the top of the plant had dark blackish-red splotches on them. I promptly cut the plant off and ground level and I will see what happens. My concern now is that I have 4 other clems within a couple feet of this one. Any recommendations for the best way to prevent any of them from getting it? Fungicide?

Chances are that your other clematis won't get whatever is causing the splothes, but to be on the safe side....

I got this from Donahue's website... "A drench of Fungo or Clearys 3336 should be applied after the plants are defoliated."

I wanted to update this thread from last year. ALL of my clems grew like crazy this spring and created a jungle on my trellis. Bourbons bloomed mid-June and Fireworks about a week later. All of them were cut to ground level in fall, so I am amazed at how big they got right away this spring.

Aren't clematis wonderful?!

Glad you brought up this thread. This is an amazing year for clematis in my garden, too. All those (except for 1) that I was thinking about getting rid of are blooming like crazy. Fireworks was one of the first to bloom and is still blooming. Carnaby has been in the ground for 6 or 7 years, never producing much, even looking pathetic the previous 2 years, but this year it looks great; it too is still blooming.

I think it's because of the spring we had. The cold weather hung on, then we had a near-perfect late spring, and the hot temps were delayed.

My Fireworks had one bloom. One.

Is your Fireworks new BorS or is it just having a bad year?