I have two well established clematis's (jackamann) (6 years or more) and I've been taking good care of them each fall so they wouldn't freeze for the winter. I'm worried because they should be up by now, but aren't. It has been very cool so maybe that has something to do with it. Do clematis have a life span?

Thanks for the encouragement. I go out everyday and check for buds and new growth. Every year I cut it down, and leave the odd stem. So far nothing, no buds on the stems or new growth coming from the ground, so here I am,....... waiting. We had a couple of days in April where we had some warmer temps, but ever since, it's been cold with minus temps at night and very low temps in the daytime. The north wind doesn't help either. Hmmm....middle of May...it seems like it's time for them to pop up their heads.