I am a newbie to Clematis, having put my first one in this summer. With winter rapidly approaching, we are preparing for the annual garden clean-up. Most of the plants we have are cut back completely for winter (right to the ground - except maybe an inch or so of stubble so we know where they were). They come back bigger/better the next spring with no problems.

The specific plant in question is a Clematis integrifolia 'Caerulea'... I'm wondering if caring for this semi-shrub form of Clematis might not necessarily the same as the vine. Should I leave all/part of the stems intact or cut it all the way down? It is planted in a spot where snow is going to pile up 2-3 feet.

Thanks for your advice.

Big K