Clematis: early blooming clems, 1 by ClematisGuru

ClematisGuru wrote:
well, there are signs of spring but we started out this morning at 15 degrees, and snow is forecasted tomorrow. the clems are taking in the extended hours of sunlight however, and warming trend....putting out little pre buds on old wood with whiteish , furry covering. hope they take their time, way too early round these parts.
thought i'd post my earliest blooming clem, Macropetala Markam's Pink.
This was one of my first clems ever purchased and i grew it in a large pot for a few years. it will be blooming by the end of april and is usually my first.
i rarely prune it. just nip off damaged vines.
the earlier the clem blooms the less that should be done to it, it is telling you it blooms on the oldest wood...older than last year. this clem never re blooms and i do not encourage it to.
the first show is enough, always a welcome to the clem season which takes off rapidly after this one announces "game on"!