Clematis seed needs to be fresh to stand much chance of getting it to germinate. Seed from hybrids may not come true and what you get may not be worth having anyway. If collecting your own seeds, the 'live' ones are thicker and fatter than non viable ones. Different types by the way have different seed shapes, quite varied they are too. Collect the seed and sow immediately. I remove the tail, because in the past this has caused some problems with rotting. Germination can take place straight away or you may have to wait until the following spring. They do not need heat and a period of cold may help, so leave the seed pans somewhere safe and outside. Do not be in too big a hurry to prick out your seedlings, leave them to grow a few true leaves first. Pot up and grow on, they may well produce a flower in their second season, but usually much smaller than the ones produced on a fully grown plant. Have fun!
