Please post photos and details of how you use shrubs as clematis hosts here. The photo shows C. Prince Charles growing through juniper.

Clematis montana var. rubens climbing into a Pyracantha

Anyone grow clematis through a lilac? I have a couple dwarf Iris that are about 5-6 ft tall. I was thinking of getting rid of the one on the right in this photo. It hasn't done real well the last couple years and looks rather ugly when not blooming. Is there a type of clematis that I could cut way back in the fall so that the lilacs could bloom then be replaced later by the clematis blooms? Any suggestions for a nice one that won't be too vigorous and shade the liliac too much. I have a multiblue one on an arbor just to the left of the lilacs, so would want one that looks good with them.

Susan

You know, it's so funny that I'm seeing this question just now. I had a question about recommended clematis for growing on a lilac earlier today. My thoughts are the same as yours... planting one that isn't too vigorous so that it doesn't choke the lilac. But, the request I got was for a vigorous one.

My suggestions for something a little different were either Arctic Queen (a beautiful white that tops out at about 8 feet, has double blooms on a very sturdy stem, and provides great cut flowers) or Kingfisher (a deep purple blue double, also about 8 feet, with the same characteristics). Both of these are Pruning Group 2, though, so they would be lightly pruned... not hard pruned to the ground.

If you are looking for a Pruning Group 3 that you can whack to the ground each season with no worries, I'd recommend either Prince Charles (great bloomer, mannerly habit, very easy to grow, grows to 8 feet, light lavender bloom), viticella Alba Luxurians (another great bloomer, white with a very interesting green tinge to the edges), or texensis Princess Diana if you would prefer nodding hot pink flowers (also an extremely profuse bloomer).

Thanks Evey! Prince Charles looks like a perfect one. Princess Diana is really interesting, but I read where it can have a problem with mildew, so I may have to think of a different location for it with a little more airflow. Artic Queen is one I think I'll have to find a place for too. And while I was looking these up I ran across Avante Garde. Like that one too.

Right now I'm trying to get an Aristolochia vine under control along my chainlink fence. It was fine for a few years, but has now become very invasive and is shooting up sprouts 8 ft away. I worked on killing it last fall, but think it will take a few more years to get it under control. Hopefully then, I will have a lot more room for clematis.

Susan, that's my complaint with some of the native clematis... such as terniflora (Sweet Autumn). They put on a beautiful show, but they are so aggressive about invading other spaces. The hybrid clematis give the same gorgeous show after a few years, but they aren't thugs in the garden. I'd rather wait the extra time for lushness and have long-term beauty!

I was the one that asked about a vigorous climber for a lilac. Thanks for your help, by the way, Evey.

The lilac I would be growing it through is the species syringa vulgaris alba. The lilac itself is very vigorous. Nothing would hurt it. I would not want a vigorous clem growing through a named or smaller variety of lilac.

So, what do you think would look good for my Hot Cocoa rose? Probably not a purple or blue I would think.

Sue, I'd go with Hyde's Hall. It's a beautiful white that tops out at about the same height as the Hot Cocoa, has red anthers to reflect the color of the Hot Cocoa, and is pruning group 2. Hot Cocoa doesn't really require pruning to produce a fabulous bloom, so I am very light in the treatment with mine. I would think you probably do the same. So, a pruning group 2 would work very well, giving you a longer, lusher display.

Perfect, thanks Evey! Still gathering my purchase selections together, order coming soon, if I can just stop getting distracted on this great Clem cubit! So much to read, love it!

Okay, for those of you on Facebook: there are tons of Gardens that post pictures. All you have to do it "become a fan" and enjoy the eye candy.

Bedrock Gardens has a photo of Continus 'Golden Spirit' with Clematis 'Betty Corning' coming up through it. It looks like the Cotinus is blooming with these incredible light colored open little flowers. I encourage you all to go look.

I'll post a link here in case it works. http://www.facebook.com/pages/...

So pretty! Thanks for sharing that link. I'm so inspired by the different combinations I've seen lately. People are finally thinking outside the box in pairing clems with more than just roses (though they are absolutely gorgeous with roses too!).

While this isn't a "shrub", it's one of my favorite type plantings for clems.... alongside evergreen vines. I have some clems mixed in with my Confederate jasmine, with my Carolina jasmine, with my fig ivy, with my English ivy, and with my evergreen clems. That way, I have the evergreen display, but the seasonal "wow factor" of the clematis in spring, summer and fall. So... here's my first bloom on Asao, popping up by the English ivy. =)

I planted Vinoca Violacea under a viburnum a few years ago. I think I planted the VV too close, but it seems to be doing ok. This is a photo from the first year. I didn't take any photos last year. Typically, VV shouldn't bloom at the same time as the viburnums, but it was a weird weather year. I am planting more into the shrubs this year as they are finally tall enough to handle a clematis.

I posted this over on the discussion thread and it should be here:
I'm considering planting some clems with a hydrangea paniculata grandiflora, maybe Ramona or Rebecca and a Jackmanii. Anyone have success with this?

This is Inspiration growing through trailing rosemary. It may end up getting too big, but I like the way the rosemary hold the vine.

Now that is nice. Very pretty