Clematis, probably the Elsa Spath - quick, get the wood off it...

definitely the clematis. Glad it has survived.

Good news. Clematis

Thanks guys. Don't know what Elsa has been doing this last 3 years, Sleeping on the job obviously! Does this kind of thing happen a lot?
Bamboo...I wood if I cood!!!! :)

She could have been dormant because her roots were too dry and she could have been dormant because slugs and snails kept grazing/eating the new growth (i've had THAT happen to 2 clems now, grrr !)

They do do it - I planted Dr. Ruppel in a garden, it got wilt and disappeared within a year. 4 years later, I moved in there and rented the house for a while and redid the garden whilst there, found the Dr. Ruppel roots, left them in situ, fed and watered, and blow me, it reappeared and was glorious for the next 6 years that I lived there - no idea what its doing now though, lol!

That's one amazing plant Bamboo !!!

Bamboo...If I were to come across roots for a plant(perennial) which has not shooted the following year and still looked ok, would you recommend feeding and watering with fingers crossed....too late, I flung them out!!! I wish I had joined this forum sooner.
Didn't know snails and slugs liked clematis Louise, another valuable piece of information I have learned this weekend. It's only easy if you know the answer!
Thanks guys x

I'd always leave clematis roots in place, they may decide to start producing new growth again - not too sure about other plants though