Question
I have two group 2 clematis - can't recall the name.  I tried to tie the vines up to a lattice to train them, but they grew out of control due to my lack of attention.  Now they are mostly brown and a tangled mess.  They aren't pretty, in fact they are an 'eyesore', a term my grandmother used for something unsightly.  What would be the result if I cut them back to the ground here in July?  I am wanting to paint the lattice along with the rest of the porch and this seems like a good time to do that, but I'm afraid I might kill them.  I have kept them watered and mulched as they are adjacent to some roses.  I would be glad to send you a picture of them if I knew your email address.  Thanks for any help you can give me.

Answer
Good day, Rosalie -
Clematis - in any group - can quickly become an "eyesore" if left untended for too long. (My grandmother loved that word, too. Perhaps they played bridge together at some point.) Anyway, there are actually two "subgroups" in Group 2 -- one subgroup blooms continuously from June through September on both old growth (last year's wood) and new growth (this year's wood.) The other subgroup blooms twice - a heavy flowering in May on last year's wood and a less showy flowering in September on this year's wood.  The good news is that neither of these groups gives a hoot if they are cut back hard to the ground. In fact, I'd say that it's healthy to prune back hard periodically, best in fall.  The perfect time to paint that lattice!
And it's good that you are mindful of watering and mulching, as all clematis like "cool feet" and a "warm head."
Hope this has been helpful.