What to plant here? Clematis not thriving (photo)

[UneAstuce]

This potted clematis is not doing very well, seems a bit weak and not growing much. I thought here would be a good spot as it gets a few hours afternoon sun. It looks like it's going to be a challenge for it to cover that trellis!

Any suggestions what I could put here instead, to cover the wooden trellis?

Remove the weeds and the top 2-3 inches of soil and replace with fresh compost and I’m sure it will look much better. It looks starved to me. How long has it been there?

Assuming you are buying a potted plant, could you just opt for a slightly bigger, more robust clematis? It doesn't look dead, just making slow progress! Or maybe a pot of sweet peas?

How long has the soil been in the tub? It might be exhausted if it hasn’t been mixed with compost (peat free) when you planted the clematis.

They're not weeds they're some kind of creeping plant I put in to make it look less bare. Perhaps I should remove them then, as a weed is a plant in the wrong place isn't it! The compost is not old, it shouldn't be starving, I've fed it recently. Perhaps it's just not a good clematis (can't remember what it is, only that it's purple).

Any recommendations for a fast growing, big clematis? That would be happy in a pot this size?

I could then move this poor bugger somewhere else and let it carry on sulking

Ceananthos - there is a version that creeps up. We have the other version and this is it.
We are using it to cover ground.
But if you nurture that clematis it might thrive with a good feed etc.

Some clematis take a couple of seasons to get established. The suggestion of moving it and putting something else there is a good one. Jasmine Trachelospermum might be a better choice, but would need a larger planter.

I like ceanothus but I'm tempted by star jasmine - especially as this position is by the back door, so the scent can be enjoyed!

Clematis like their feet in the shade so it might be a bit exposed and too warm in that container in that spot. Try moving it somewhere where you can plant it deeply in the ground.

I like ceanothus but I'm tempted by star jasmine - especially as this position is by the back door, so the scent can be enjoyed!
The flowering season is short unfortunately but ceanothus flowers smell gorgeous!
A really beautiful honey scent.
The bees absolutely love it though so if you don’t like swarms of bees it’s maybe not the best by your back door!

How long have you had it there?

@ContessaVerde not long, maybe a couple of weeks. We moved here recently and I dug it up from the garden at the old house and potted it up to move it. Decided to keep it in the pot as It wasn't doing well in the ground to be honest - it had been in the ground at the old house for a couple of years - and yes it was planted nice and deeply.

@TheDiddlyGang I don't mind lots of bees - the more the merrier! I'm trying to encourage them actually. Fingers crossed 🤞 they wouldn't come in the house too much though.....
The star jasmine appeals because on googling it appears it is evergreen, which would be great as the pot is in view from the kitchen window and some greenery to look at through winter would be good. I understand I would need a bigger pot for jasmine though. I've never grown jasmine before and fancy giving it a go- I'm good at growing roses, bad at honeysuckle, and hit & miss with clematis! Wonder what I'm like with jasmine /!only one way to find out I guess 🌸

@ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn

Clematis like their feet in the shade so it might be a bit exposed and too warm in that container in that spot. Try moving it somewhere where you can plant it deeply in the ground.

I have one on a pot which struggled last year on the sunny side of my arbour. I've moved it to the shady side and it seems to be growing well there. I've got sweet peas on the sunny side now, they seem to like it.