@owd potter If you don't want the Leycesteria you could just give it a gentle tug to see if it will come out. I doubt it has been there very long, you will have a good idea if you have got it all. Yes it could be in the roots of the clematis so give up if there is some resistance. It could also regrow if some root is left behind but not that likely.
The alternative will be to wait and hope that there is life in the clematis and lift both, get the clematis growing strongly and try again next year, you could however have the same problem with competition from the mature plants.
You see photos in books and gardening magazines of clematis growing through shrubs to extend the season, sadly it doesn't always work. If shrub and clematis are planted at the same time that would help but the clematis needs support so what to do ? The best chance of success has to be a rich deep retentive soil, plenty of water if dry and a mature plant that can reshoot from under the ground in more than one place if things get difficult.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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The alternative will be to wait and hope that there is life in the clematis and lift both, get the clematis growing strongly and try again next year, you could however have the same problem with competition from the mature plants.
You see photos in books and gardening magazines of clematis growing through shrubs to extend the season, sadly it doesn't always work. If shrub and clematis are planted at the same time that would help but the clematis needs support so what to do ? The best chance of success has to be a rich deep retentive soil, plenty of water if dry and a mature plant that can reshoot from under the ground in more than one place if things get difficult.