where and how did you plant the new Clematis? This is important.

The one you pruned to the ground is probably slow to grow because of the weather - it's not usual to take them right down to soil level- those that need hard pruning in midwinter are usually taken down to about 2 buds (roughly 8-10 inches) above ground level. It should start growing again even so.
How you planted the new ones is important, as said previously - did you plant very close to a fence or wall, or at least, less than foot away from them? If you planted during the warm dry spell of weather, did you water sufficiently and often enough (once a week, good soak) up until the rains began?

Do you know the names of the clematis plants you have?

I bought all sorts of clematis in the discount sales in autumn last year and even the ones that died back to the ground (which some shouldn't have done) are starting to grow now. Check the area very carefully for new shoots to make sure the slugs and snails aren't eating the new growth....because they will! I'm out every night looking after mine cos they've had a go at all of them except the Polish Spirit. (I must admit I've killed Gladys Picard though, she must have got too cold and wet over winter) Don't give up hope yet though, if they are planted nice and deep they may still start poking through, but you have to keep the slugs off!

Morning, thanks for your replies..

The one i planted was JACKMAANI ALBA that has died, it was planted up against a trellis where one subsequently died last year. I have another one that is doing really well along the same stretch of trellis. I have surrounded it with pebbles to keep soil moist. Although i may not have watered it enough prior to the rain :-(
Was going to plant the new one today (suns shining down here)

I protected a clematis to grow up the camellias with a 2 litre bottle, placed as I planted it. I blocked the top of it with screwed up paper to keep your munching friends at bay. The bottle is still there but the Clematis stem is woody and about 1/2 inch thick. It has died down and regrown a couple of times. Now about 5 ft up the shrubbery and really going some since the rain.Duchess of Albany)It gets cut at about 4 feet high up the stem just before active growth.

they like there leaves in the sun but the base in the shade .

Noseypotter, that particular spot gets the afternoon sun, i do put pebbles round the base of the clematis?? is that sufficient?

Yes, its fine. If it only gets afternoon sun from 3 onwards, you don't even need to worry about covering the roots, but if its earlier, say 1pm, then pebbles or stones do the trick, although its better to have something growing in front which provides shade over the roots.

thank you bamboo x .