I planted the forsythias a month ago and they are doing well. I am now thinking about the clematis to go with them. I don't want one that grows much more than a couple of metres. All those I seem to like grow to 6 foot! Ideally I would like one in pink or purple and flowering from summer through to autumn - was thinking about Piilu as I love the colour and that it has flowers all the way up the stem. Are there any others I should look at. I am new to clematis growing having never dared to buy one before as I'm quite scared of pruning it correctly and killing it. Thanks in advance.
2 metres is six feet six inches so the 6 foot ones that you like should be fine
I find group 3 clematis are easiest for growing through deciduous shrubs - the group 3 pruning is simple - you cut them down low to healthy buds early in the year, and then you can pull out all the old stems before the shrub comes into growth. You just need to be careful not to knock off the shrub's developing buds. Group 3 clematis are the later flowering ones so no risk of a colour clash with the forsythia flowers (I'm not a fan of pink with yellow).
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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