Deciduous clematis are always a popular choice. I've got a Nelly Moser growing through my purple smokebush and the combination is quite stunning. And that's only one of a couple of dozen other clematis that I have growing through various trees and shrubs in my garden.

I have most of my clematis growing through shrubs and trees also and it works very well. With my small garden growing plants vertically takes very little space and gives you so many flowers in return. How big is your smoke bush? A clematis like Pagoda, Minuet or Aljonuska would look very nice with the color of the smoke bush(does it have purple leaves?) These vines don't get too large(if your tree is small) and can be cut back to the ground after frost. If your smoke bush is large 10' or more a larger clematis like Hagley Hybrid, Abundance or Nelly Moser, like gardengals, would look nice. There are thousands of clematis to choose from. You can plant your clematis on the shady side of the bush out from under the drip line so the rain will hit it. It will need extra water when planted by a shrub or tree. You can look at photos of clematis on the bottom web site. Just don't plant a 15' vine on a 5' tree. It doesn't work. Here is a photo of Hagley Hybrid growing through a purple plum in my garden. Karen

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Here is a link that might be useful: Clematis on the web

Thanks for your suggestions! I love clematis so I'm definitely going to plant some. The trick is going to be finding varieties that are not too big. The smoke bush is not there yet (I'm starting a garden) but I can't let it grow too big.
How about vines that could grow in partial shade and climb up a hawthorn tree? Or something that could climb a cedar tree (I'm prepared to plant it in a large pot there so it doesn't have to compete with the tree). It's partial shade too. For example, would golden hops makes sense there (I wouldn't plant it in the ground anyway)?

I have a small place too so I'm trying to use vertical space too :)

Yes golden hops grows well up evergreens. I have a couple planted on a cedar hedge and they look great and it is very drought tolerant. Hops is invasive by underground shoots so plant it in a barrier or it will take over. A viticella type clematis would look nice growing through a hawthorne. The tree blooms in the spring and the viticella blooms in the summer so you will have blooms most of the season.

There are lots of different sized clematis. The integrifolias stay small 1-4'. When your smoke bush gets big enough to host a clematis you can try one of these. There are thousands of clematis varieties in all sizes, shapes and colors. You can find all kinds of places in your garden for them if you use a little imagination.