Wendy, You are not annoying. This is how we all learn. I'm still learning after well over 50 years of growing plants of all kinds. Continue to ask questions so we can all learn or be reminded of old tips we have long forgotten. Ron

In your zone 9, I would give the clematis, especially since you don't know the variety of one, morning sun and afternoon shade. Type II clematis in my zone 7a garden can get quite burned up in afternoon sun in the middle of the summer so the sun in your zone 9 is going to be even hotter and more intense. Planting them in an area where they get protection from the afternoon sun would also help in moisture conservation. Clematis do not need their roots shaded. They need an adequate supply of moisture. Providing mulch at the base of the plant will provide the moisture conservation measures you need to help your clematis out. Planting a bush at the base of a clematis is going to be counterproductive since it will be in competition with the clematis for the moisture and the nutrients in the soil. In addition, the use of an organic mulch will add organic matter to the soil as it decomposes and thereby add more moisture holding capacity to the soil. If the plants are small and in bad shape, I would recommend not planting them in the ground now but rather potting them up into one gallon sized pots and growing them out for a while. When you pot them up, plant them several inches deeper in the pots than they were in their original pots. If you decide to go ahead and plant them in the ground now, then plant them as described for pot culture. Giving the plants a good haircut now would be fine in your zone since you live in a zone where things grow essentially year round and the cooler days of fall would allow them to get a good start in producing foliage.

Lainey, Very pretty! I have several of them but am not in bloom season so will happily live vicariously through yours for now! Hopefully you have a list so you can narrow down your NOID's from suggestions. My first impression of your #2 was Elegant Candy. Sorry, no pic as I don't have last years no this puter and mine is still far from blooming. Thanks for sharing your pretties! Julie

Disneyhorse, how admirable of you to rescue your grandmother's beloved tree. You have my total respect in this. Sometimes plants end up becoming family members, almost; they give us a sense of continuity. Btw....Our MS is doing well, and leafing out nicely, I'm looking forward to the day when she becomes large enough to share. (Thanks, Plumygirl!)