Clematis and plants for shade?

[Shoegazer]

I'm a novice gardener, so I'm hoping someone can help me with these questions. We live in a rented house and it has a huge clematis all trained into the trellis, but I have never pruned it/cut it back in the four years we have lived here and I don't think the people who lived here before us did either. It now flowers over the other side of the wall and we get very few flowers actually in our garden. How do I go about getting it back into our garden so to speak and when do I do it?

Also, I need some ideas for some plants that thrive in shade, just something interesting to look at, easy to maintain and friendly to toddlers. Are there any roses that I can grow in partial shade in a container? There might not be but I fancy trying on if there is.

[Pannacotta]

Re the clematis, pruning depends on which type it is. But whichever it is if you do prune it back hard you will get more flowers in your garden next year.
Can you describe the clematis flowers in more detail (colour/size and when it flowers?? Or search for pics of clematis on line and report back?
Plants for shade there are lots, it depends on the type of shade (dry/damp) and what style you like.
This is a lovely websitewww.plantsforshade.co.uk/
crocus.co.uk and the bbc site gardening section are also good sites for info/ideas.

[Graciefer]

I recently bought a beautiful pink rose (Zéphirine Drouhin) from Pete Beale Roses.

It it suitable for north facing gardens and shade, is thornless so safe for the children and aswell as the wonderful pink blooms looking stunning, they are one of the most sweetest smelling flowers in my garden.

It wasn't cheap (£25 as a container plant, when I bought it in earlier Spring), but I would definately recommend it.

[Shoegazer]

I have looked and I think it is a clematis montana either a reubens or an elizabeth because it my garden is very shaded, the flowers look very similar and it flowers in April/May.

Thank you so much for the links I will look at those now, and thank you Graciefer for the rose suggestion I will have a look

[Pannacotta]

Clematis montana sounds right if it flowers at that time.
You can prune it hard anytime now, it will flower better next year.

Peter Beales is a fab place to look for roses, they do a catalogue and have a website, they will also advise on roses for shade, also if you want scent, repeat flowering, no thorns etc.

[Shoegazer]

Right so I just get some clippers and cut it all to the top of the trellis then? I don't have to do anything special?

[Pannacotta]

Is some info here or just google for more tips
www.gardenforum.demon.co.uk/clematis.htm

[Shoegazer]

Thank you Pannacotta, much appreciated :O)