Have to agree. You can do a serious hack on something like a viticella Etoile Violette but other group 3s like Warsaw Nike and Rahvarinne I found preferred to be cut back to a live bud.
I think this year you should be cautious and cut back to just above buds and then, when it flowers, you can have a go at identifying it using this site - http://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemlistsearch.cfm which is academic and lists thousands but won't try and sell you anything.
When you've got the clematis bug we can point you at good nurseries and varieties.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
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I think this year you should be cautious and cut back to just above buds and then, when it flowers, you can have a go at identifying it using this site - http://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemlistsearch.cfm which is academic and lists thousands but won't try and sell you anything.
When you've got the clematis bug we can point you at good nurseries and varieties.