I feel like it's barely holding on and wouldn't survive the transplant shock of potting it up. Digging it up will inevitably destroy the very fine feeder roots it has and it's acclimated to its current position. I would keep it where it is for now, clear away all vegetation, feed it & nurture it back to full strength. My gardener destroyed many of my plants and thought weed-wacking my daffodils was a good idea.

Agree with Bathgate clear away surrounding vegetation and feed, though I'd hold off on that until spring time as you don't want t start the clematis into soft sappy growth at this time of year.

Thank You to you both for your advice, I have a new gardener starting on Wednesday, I do hope she knows what she's doing, we will see :o))

Yes I would leave it in situ and give it some tlc and be patient, let it get going, water well more so in long hot spells and feed, I have always planted a smaller shrub in front of a clematis to shade their feet, eg, lavender which would be clipped tightly each year to stop it getting old and leggy or one of the smaller Hebe family, hopefully your gardener will know her stuff, she should be able to identify all of your plants, that is a good way of knowing what she is about.

I cover my Clematis roots with large beach pebbles, keeps them cool, and weedfree.

I have now added pics of stem & leaf of plant :o)

Definitely leave it where it is and give some tlc

Thanks for posting the pictures Jackie. This plant looks better than I envisioned, however, I can see how somebody might mistake it for a weed. There is nothing wrong with this clematis. With a little TLC, it should bloom nicely for you this season.

Leave it exactly where it is. Just clear away all of that vegetation, rocks, sticks, grass, etc. within a 1 foot radius of the main stem being careful not to damage the fine surface roots. Then dress it with an inch or two layer of compost. Give it a trellis or something to climb that will keep it up off the ground and not block out the sunlight. Since the root structure is still intact, it should come back quickly.

I'm wondering what type of Clematis it is, tried to look up the leaves, can't understand why he cut it down to the ground as it always looked healthy growing up a trellis I once had there, I will be off to buy some new trellis & start to help it on its way :o)), Thanks to all the feed back all :o)) x Jackie x

I have found the name of it at last by looking at Pictures on Google.
Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica :o))

Great!

Reminds me of Jackson Pollock

I looked for Jackson Pollock on the web but cant find it :o((.
I hope to get out into my front garden soon, we have fine rain & and foggy bitterly cold weather at the moment & I have a cold so best I wait :o)). x

LOL, He's there, in Google, type his name, then click on "Images" He was an abstract painter. I think it's called "abstract." I have insomnia. That's why I'm sitting here typing this at 4:30 am. I'm glad the wind stopped howling. It kept me up all night, but a cup of hot cocoa sure helps. I hope you feel better Jackie. :) Did you hear Mary Tyler Moore passed away? I'm so saddened by the news.

Ha! Ha! I thought you meant the name Jackson Pollock was the name of a Clematis LOL, I hope the cocoa helped you sleep, shame about Mary Tyler passing away. x

It's similar to my Clematis cirrhosa 'Freckles' and you can't kill that for love nor money.

lol I meant your Clematis reminds me of one of his abstract paintings.