Clematis pruning

[annie8]

I bought two clematis last year - one alpina and a tangutica. Despite my best efforts only one of them survived and grew a little. They were both really small though when I got them. The problem is I don’t know which one I put where and according the labels they are in different groups so get cut back at different times of the year. So far I have just left the surviving one which is maybe 50cm tall. Any ideas? Given it is so small not sure it needs much if a cut back anyway.

[mothhawk]

Neither really need pruning, and as yours is small, I probably wouldn't cut it. Let it build up its strength for a year, and you'll find out which it is by allowing enough growth for it to flower. In my experience tangutica is more robust so that's likely the one that survived.

[annie8]

Didn’t prune it as suggested and now growing well up the fence. Just spotted two little purple buds on it so just be the alpina that survived.