I pot mine up for a year to give them time to grow roots. I haven't had much luck with those that I put in the ground this size.

Thanks Memama_gayle. That's what I'm going to do.
Susan

I also usually pot my small clematis up. Those few that were planted when tiny didn't do much that first year. Some even disappeared though came back the next year. For me, it is just easier to keep the small plants watered if they are potted up and in a holding bed that first year. By the next year the roots have filled the gallon pots.

Pot them up. While some do have luck putting them straight into the ground most don't.

Use a quality well draining potting soil and make sure they don't dry out.

They are potted up and in a place that I visit every day with the hose. Thanks for all of your very consistent advice. It makes it so easy to follow when everyone seems to agree :-))))

And it gives me plenty of time to figure out where I want these beauties. I have two sitting in gallon pots that I still haven't put in the ground, so I can use a bit of delay time for decision making.

Susan

When you purchase a clematis vine that is potted in small pots, you are recommended that you repot them into a larger pot for at least a year before planting it in the ground. What size pot are you suggesting it to be potted in? Maybe the size pot a good size azelea or mum would come in? Do you keep that in the shade or full sun for that year? What is best light exposure for clematis -morning and early afternoon sun or late afternoon sun which would be hotter?

I pot mine to a gallon sized pot and put in full sun.

Most Clematis want full sun like roses though a few flowers can fade they all grow fine. Some will tolerate some shade better than others.