I read they can live up to 50 years. And also I read about clematis to sprout again after 10 years of disappearing. My friend, from whom I catch clematis fever, told me that it's very hard to kill clematis after it is established. I do not afraid to buy ugly looking clematis on clearance as there's a good chance of it to recover. Last year I bought about 50 plants on clearance ( I cannot pass by a plant for $3), and only two of them are empty looking pots. But I have hope for them as well. They're pretty tough plants. Check the roots, If the roots still alive they'll come back!
