Sorry DManA,
I scanned your post too quickly. You JUST planted the clematis. From my experience, I’d let the plant grow from the size you purchased in the greenhouse. (It probably came on a little trellis?) I’ve never had one get a real wood-type trunk. Some years mine have died to the ground and send up new shoots. In milder years, the slender vines haves lived to 3 or 4 feet. I’ve always had the best luck growing clematis in a sheltered area next to lattice with shorter plants shading their roots.
It certainly does appear that we’re going to have a standout lilac season, same with the flowering crab trees. It’ll be a while until that first ripe tomato though.
On the other side is a variety that doesn't bloom until late June. They are a good 20 feet high. I'm going to leave those alone because they make a nice screen between us and the neighbors.