I tried to grow some Clematis with Hydrangea paniculata, the late-blooming panicle hydrangea, (sometimes refered to as ‘Pee Gee’ or ‘Tardiva’.) but this is not successful.
Clematis Purpurea Plena Elegans In Hydrangea paniculata ‘Pink Diamond’ ( above & below) 
This hydrangea is pruned drastically early spring. When the clematis starts to grow, the branches of the hydrangea are low and bare . There, they intertwine. The hydrangea however, keeps on growing, thus the clematis blooms deep in the shrub and not in front, where it is wanted.
Here Clematis texensis ‘Gravetye Beauty’ hidden in foliage. 
Another lesson learned.
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Recreating Eden Landscape Blog 
When I lived in Metro Atlanta, I had Jackmanii clematis growing up Crape Myrtles. Clematis does poorly here. Jackman had one puny bloom near the base of the Crape Myrtle that I limbed up so high it looks like a pole.
My pretty violet colored Clematis that was mis-labeled as Violetta failed to return this spring. I give up.
W e are all slowly learning that the romantic combination of Clematis and flowering shrubs that are displayed so prominently in English Gardens do not happen naturally. It must be the unseen assistance of the 13 to 24 year round gardeners that work those estates that helps create these otherwise unattainable compositions.
Sorry this happened but the benefit of a blog is that we all learn from one another! I love clematis and was thinking of having some intertwined around lilacs but had never considered the fact that some shrubs need pruning. Will need to rethink my plans now.