Clematis: Help for out of control Clematis!, 0 by lwkbriggs

lwkbriggs wrote:
This photo of my Clematis trellis tells the tale. It is about seven feet tall, and there are several different types growing there. Most are prunning group 2. I say most because I am not sure of everything that is there. Friends and neighbors have transplanted some of their plants here because they were not doing well where the were. The trellis needs repair as the plants are pulling it over. There are tons of buds on it now, so I really don't want to do anything until most of them bloom. When is the best time to cut them back so we can repair the trellis, and get rid of some of the dead growth? How far can I cut them back without damage?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Lisa