pinned clematis

My clematis looks a lot better than last year- more foliage, more buds- but it was a dense heap at the base of the deck post. The twine I'd wound around the post hoping it would cling and climb- well, the plant didn't do that. So I removed the twine and carefully untangled the clematis vine- lost a few leaves and one bud in the process.

I kind of trained it back up the post using small nails bent loose over the stems here and there.

It already shows signs of insect damage. I found (and smashed) an aphid. I hope to keep that at bay with soapy spray- its been doused twice now- and can't wait to see it flower.