Do I cut my clematis down for the winter? I'm in zone 5, Kansas city. Prune down to 6" like a rose bush? I have not in the past and it's not blooming very well in the summers.
The answer is a bit complicated, because there are multiple types of clematis which should be pruned at different times of year. Pruning in February is safe for most clematis, but for those on pruning group 1, pruning in February will remove next year's flower buds. If you don't know what type you have, you could wait till your clematis flowers next year and prune immediately after the flowers fade.
These articles explain the issue:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=109
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/clematis/pruning-clematis-vines.htm
When and how do you prune clematis?
These articles will help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/clematis/pruning-clematis-vines.htm
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=109
Will "Clematis virginians" grow in zone 3/4?
Yes, Clematis Virginians as well as most Clematis are Hardy in zone 3 -8.
I have moved into a house with mature Clematis plantings. I need to know when to prune these specific plants. They bloom all the way from spring, and this year the last blooms have just died off (we got our first hard freeze in the Midwest). So when and how much do I prune?
As these articles explain, Clematis plants fall into different pruning groups which should be treated differently. Since yours bloom in spring, they most likely fall into Pruning Groups 1 or 2, depending on what month the blooms start, and should only be pruned lightly soon after flowering:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=109
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/clematis/pruning-clematis-vines.htm
What do I do about all the dead leaves? This plant blooms in summer. I live in Michigan!
What do I do about all the dead leaves? This plant blooms in summer. I live in Michigan
How long does it take to germinate?
Germination is spread out, with some germinating after a few weeks and some taking up to 8 months.
Some clematis species have seeds that require cold stratification before they will germinate. This means you will either plant the seeds in fall so they experience winter cold, or place them in a plastic bag with a moist paper towel and then place that in the refrigerator (in the dark) for two months.
After the stratification period, for seeds you will grow indoors, take them out of the fridge and keep them in a dark, warm place inside the baggy until they start to germinate. Keep the towel moist during this time.
When should I prune clematis?
As these articles explain, the best time of year to prune clematis depends on which species you have and which pruning group it falls into:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/clematis/pruning-clematis-vines.htm
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/homeowners/090306.html
If you don't know what type you have, you may be able to figure it out based on the characteristics and timing of the blooms, as explained in these articles:
https://extension.psu.edu/plants/gardening/gardening-questions/spring/when-should-i-prune-my-clematis
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/groundcovers/hgic1104.html