Yes, I had the same problem. I was growing a Polish Spirit clematis on a large eldeberry. It completely overwhelmed the poor shrub. The eldeberry has very brittle branches and the weight of the vine caused it to break. I moved Polish spirit this spring. I now have it growing on a 30' tall cement light pole out in my parking strips. I would like to see it try to break that! I am sure both plants will now be a lot happier. I guess it is always important to correctly pair up the shrub with the correct sized clematis.

So true. I tried growing President and Elsa Spath up my tulip tree. They got to a height of about 3 feet and that was it. The tree was just taking too many nutrients, so I gave up and moved them and they promptly died. I look at all these losses as an opportunity to try newer varities.