Help with pruning my group 3 clematis

Hello all,

I have a group 3 clematis which I just pruned, but I am wondering if I should prune it further down.

Online it says to cut at 12" above soil level, which is the first band on the obelisk in the photos.

But it also says to cut above the first bud. And also to cut around 1 or 2" above the start of new growth stem.

So I have made my way up each stem and then cut above the first healthy bud, but I've ended up with a plant much higher than 12" above soil level.

Should I now cut the stems lower down?

Thanks very much!

 

Hi, it looks good! The stems just need tying in with soft string now

 

Ah great, thank you, I'll tie them with soft string now then

 

Look fine to me , it’s getting earlier and earlier to prune, I used to prune March but now early February is the norm.

good mulch around the stems the plant would enjoy

Spruce

 

It is getting earlier, mine started making buds last winter too which got lost in the frost and snow.

I'll do some mulch, thank you!