Clematis care...how?

Hi.
We have just moved into a new place and the previous occupants have left a Clematis.
The thing is, is that it looks very straggly and dead but with a few new shoots appearing here and there. What can I do to tidy it up? Cut it right back?
Any help thanks.

 

I don't suppose you know what one it is? Clematis come in three types, and you deal with them all differently. There's been a really good answer to this on another thread, from Rossco, and others. Run a search on this site on clematis, and you'll find masses of entries. If you could post a photo of it, we could try and help decide what type it is. Does it look like it's going to flower soon? If so, that would make it easier!! But by the sounds of it, it doesn't! Don't give up on clematis, though - they often look dead when they're not! :D

 

I agree with Dendrobium - they often look dead when they are not. With a few new shoots - it is clearly not dead. It does not really matter if you do not prune it at all. It will still flower the same. The worst that could happen is that it will looks a bit untidy and the flowers will be on the new growth which is at the top.

If it is very big and you need to tidy it up, I would be inclined to cut it back by half. If it is an early flowerer, it will flower on last years growth and as long as you leave a reasonable amount of last years growth you will get a fair amount of flowers. If it is a later flowerer it will flower on this years growth, which it is has yet to make. Make a note of when it flowers, so you can work out when to prune it next year.