I plan on buying a couple of Clematis's, but was wondering if buying bare root, or getting two and half inch pots would be the best?
The price is about $6.00 or $7.00 difference for each one.
Need advice
The best advice I can give is.. buy the biggest plant you can afford!! Clematis take a long time to get established. When I buy little bands I baby them all summer long advancing to a one gallon container then plant them in the fall. If you want quicker results you can buy bigger from mail order companies like Brushwood, Donahues or for the biggest bang for the buck Silver Star.
It really is always best to buy the largest roots you can afford but if money is an issue please check Garden Watchdog for the places selling the plants you want to buy.
I've bought cheap ones and had them thrive but some have died. Same story for some very expensive ones.