I bought and planted a Grp 3 clematis last September. I noticed recently it wasn't growing very much. On closer inspection, I see it's totally floppy. The 2 shoots are only a few cams high. Any ideas why and what i should do please?
I would leave it exactly where it is for now - see if the shoots grow - I would water and feed it, but don't over water. Some of my clematis are full of bud and others are just beginning to show new shoots. I am sure others will be able to give you more advice Patring.
Check the variety. It might be the sort that does not put out self-clinging tendrils and needs to be attached to supports such as a trellis. Also check what aspect it likes. If it's wanting shade and it's in full sun, or vice versa, it might not be happy. Prune group three need hard pruning in early spring.
Did you check around the base for slug damage? They might be nibbling on it, causing the plant to be unable to move much nutrients upward to put towards new growth. They can collar a clematis. That might also explain why it's floppy, due to wilt.
Fire, this is the first time I've heard that some clematis aren't self-clinging! That will explain why the C x cartmanii 'Avalanche' I planted last year has needed constant tying in. You learn something new every day
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You say the 2 shoots are only 2 cms high, how can they be floppy ?