IMPORTANT HANDLING INFORMATION (1) PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN PULLING A POT FROM ITS SHIPPING BOX. Keep in mind that plants are not all equal in size, root development and growth rate. Each variety may vary. For spring and fall shipping we prune the plants hard. This hard pruning helps promote the development of more stems from the base of the plant. (2) IF DAMAGE OCCURS TO FRAGILE STEMS DURING SHIPPING, just prune below the damaged area. This is rarely fatal or serious. Initially, do not place to much emphasis on the top growth. Your clematis has growth nodes under the soil and will start to grow once its roots settle in the ground. However, please remember that clematis usually spend most of the first year establishing their roots. The second year expect moderate growth and flowering. The third year, look out and enjoy -- you'll have a full size specimen! GENERAL SHIPPING TIMES 1. AZ, CA, FL, OR, WA: Mid-March through June and Mid-September through Mid-November. 2. AL, AR, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, NM, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA: April through June and Mid-September through October. 3. CT, DC, MA, MD, NJ, RI, WV: Mid-April through June and Mid-September through October. 4. IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, NE, NY, NV, OH, PA, UT: Late April through June and Mid-September through October. 5. CO, ID, ME, MN, MT, ND, NH, SD, VT, WI, WY: May through June and Late-August through September. 6. AK: May. Please note that AK orders need to be phoned in, faxed or emailed, unfortunately they cannot be done on the website. Note: Shipping periods may change depending on the weather in your area. WE CAN SHIP DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS OF JULY AND AUGUST IF YOU SELECT 3 DAY AS YOUR SHIPPING OPTION.