Varieties of clematis to climb on shrubs?

My neighbor has some shrubs in her garden and I suggested planting clematis under them and she liked the idea. Do you use group 1 since it would be hard to prune them? What are some good varieties and where to get them. Eleanor

I've been doing some research on-line and Chalk Hill Clematis suggests group 3 to grow through shrubs. I thought it would be hard to pull the clematis out of the shrub to cut it back. Is Chalk Hill a good place to order from. I'm helping my neighbor because she doesn't have a computer. We need all the help we can get!!!!! Eleanor

Gosh I wish I could help you but I can't offer much. I have 9 clematis but I don't have any growing through bushes or anything - just up a fence. I know pirl and Victor know a lot about clems....come on out guys and give some help here will ya!

Chalk hill has very nice clematis but so does Brushwood. Brushwood is out of PA so it's less shipping time and possibly less shipping $$$. Also Garden Crossing out of Michigan.

Group 1's are huge and bloom early and then do nothing. Also, they're not very hardy. The choice should be between 2 or 3. I would favor 3 so you don't have a mass of heavy stems once the 2's mature. You will have to pull the dead vines out - no getting away from that. But I have planted some 2's as well. However, all of mine are still young so the job of removing has not gotten real big yet. More important is to match the size of the Clem to the shrub.

My number 1 choice for sources is Silver Star Vinery, even though they are more expensive. Second would be Garden Crossings. I bought from Brushwood once and have heard good things about Chalk Hill, but never tried them. The size of the roots on the plants I received from Silver Star (not to mention the best customer service of any nursery I've ever dealt with) was so impressive that I will always check there first.

Thanks everyone!! You have been very helpful. It will help my neighbor get off to a good start. (She needs a computer - I don't know what I'd do without mine!!!!!) Eleanor