The silky seed pods on your clematis vine are left over from a previous flower that bloomed, faded and is now creating seeds. You can leave these on the vine for fall décor (some birds like to rob the silky filaments and use them to line nests) or you can clip them off. To keep your clematis in flower longer next summer I fertilize in spring with a slow release plant food like Osmocote, then do not feed when your clematis is in bloom or bud - it makes the flowers open too fast and fall quickly from the vine. Instead, lightly prune the vine by one fourth after it blooms the first time, fertilize with a liquid plant food such as Osmocote and you will see a second flush of flowers on your clematis vine. Keep Growing, Marianne Binetti