Thanks for the question.

Your first task is to determine the pruning group into which your clematis falls. There are three groups:

1). Group 1 are clematis which bloom on the previous year’s growth. Typically their flowers appear in the spring.

2). Group 2 are clematis which bloom on both the previous year’s growth and on new growth. Flowers would appear at two times of the year: once in the spring and then again in mid to late summer.

3). Group 3 are clematis which bloom on only new growth with flowering occurring in mid to late summer.

I’m guessing that your clematis falls into Group 3. If so, pruning is best done in late winter to early spring. If your clematis is now showing new growth with buds on the stems, do not remove these as this would limit flowering this season (2022) on that growth. For growth not showing buds, the stems can be pruned down to about six to ten inches from the ground. Try not to disturb the existing crown. See the following for further information on these and related points:

https://www.bluebirdnursery.com/Clematis.asp - :~:text=Pruning Group 1 (PG1)%3A,main flowering period has ended.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/clematis/pruning-clematis-vines.htm

https://www.waysidegardens.com/clematis-pruning-group-3/a/311/

Good luck and please get back to us if you have any further questions.