Clematis: June, clematises and chat, 0 by pearl

pearl wrote:
I so love reading everyone's post on their clematis. pirl; I enjoy and welcome any advice from all the experts. Two years back I purchased an unlabeled clematis from a huge home improvement store and kept it in the same pot that it came in until yesterday. Found out that it's the "President" awhile back. Boy does he have alot of roots. Is that good? I read in some of the post that it is.

Everytime that I try to plant him out something happens to him. Mainly my DH. So this year I firmly warned DH not to do any damage to him and he listened.

Here's some pics of him still in the original pot and the new pot to grow into. I believe I will plant him out this fall out by the mailbox.

Should I put pine straw in the pot?