I grew 2 clematis - an alpina and a macropetala - through my old lilac. The clematis would bloom before the lilac leafed out so they were easy to see. And they didn't require pruning. My lilac was quite a bit larger than the OP's, so cutting back and removing the old vines from a type 3 would be more of a chore than I wished. However, pruning back even a type 3 is optional once established and I found that practice to be more efficient when growing these through larger woody shrubs and trees. The bare, leggy lower stems of the unpruned clems blended into the stems/trunks of the shrub support while the top of the vine was free to peek out of the canopy and flower at will. I did exactly the same thing with C. tangutica growing through a large apple tree -- you can't imagine how many questions I got about what kind of tree that was with all those bright yellow flowers blooming through summer!

I have planted Etoile Violette to climb through my large white lilac. It should add lovely colour later in the season when the lilac is finished blooming.

Bellarosa, my VV has never had a problem with blooming. It is just that in the three years I have had it, it hasn't really gotten very tall and turned into a monster as far as overall size. Most of the type III viticella clematis that you purchase can become a monster in size if you don't prune it down each year ( also provided it doesn't get killed back by mother nature during the winter). In Linda Buetler's book, she shows a picture of Polish Spirit that had never been pruned back and is climbing a tall evergreen tree of some sort. The only problem with doing that is that the plant flowers on new wood so any old wood shouldn't have any flowers and the older woody growth may loose its foilage and become leggy. I may have to try not pruning my VV this year and see what happens to it though! I love a good experiment! Annie, it sounds as if your viburnums would work wonderfully for D of A. The plant will take a few years to get established and really get going and if you keep it pruned back the first year or so to establish a good root system, it shouldn't overwhelm your plants and give them a chance to get growing. As far as how big D of A might get, I will leave that to be answered by someone who has had theirs longer. Mine has been in the ground for only three years and is on the north side of the house. Good luck!

Cameron - got this newsletter from White Flower Farms in my e -mail the other day and thought of you immediately. Definitely relates to growing Clematis in shrubs, roses, ect......... "Large-flowered Clematis usually grow about 6Â8 feet tall, making them ideal companions for Climbing Roses and many shrubs. The wiry vines will scramble through the branches without adding excessive weight to their hosts. Clematis like full to partial sun with a bit of shade on their roots, so this pairing works to the vine's advantage. Clematis climb by means of grasping petioles -- the stem-like base of the leaves. When it meets a potential support, the petiole coils around it tightly. The best support is therefore rather narrow, such as the branch of a Rose or the crossbars of a wire or steel trellis. In the Reading Room section of Gardening Help on our Web site, you'll find Christopher Lloyd's article, The Virtue of Vines, with an illustration of how to lead Clematis vines up into shrubs using bamboo stakes. Sweet Autumn Clematis is the exception for partnerships. This vigorous plant is likely to overwhelm most hosts. Instead, provide a sturdy support, such as an arbor or fence. Indeed, it is the perfect way to camouflage a chain-link fence. Plant your new Clematis with the crown three to four inches below the soil level. This protects future buds, and allows the plant to re-sprout if its top growth is damaged. The pruning of Clematis vines causes lots of trepidation, but it doesn't need to; the plants will keep growing after their haircut, and you will learn timing by experience. The general rule: prune out four-year-old stems after bloom, because flower production tends to decline. Varieties that bloom on new wood (including Sweet Autumn Clematis) can be cut back severely early every spring, if desired. Plants that bloom on old wood (last year's growth) can be pruned lightly right after bloom, if needed to control size. For plants that bloom twice, you may remove weak growth in spring, then prune lightly if needed after the first bloom. Our Clematis growing guide gives a list of varieties and their pruning groups to help you decide when and whether to wield your clippers. The Gardening Help section of our Web site contains an A-Z list of growing guides plus articles and tips on gardening and design, videos, and much more." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lynne