Clematis suggestions for a newbie please

[Ricardo]

Some help for a noob please?
I was looking for a nice Clematis for next season and reading some back numbers I saw a glowing writeup on the "Bill MacKenzie", especially as I want it to climb through an old lilac tree, for which it says is just the job.
Now, there's two problems with this.
1. 'er 'indoors does not particularly like yellow (!)
2. The lilac is white so it might look a tad wishy washy colour-wise in any case.

So my question is ....
Can anybody give me recommendations for a Clem of similar characteristics to the MacKenzie (ie not wildly vigorous), is a deeper colour (purple to red perhaps rather than pale/white/mauve etc)
And when would be the best time to buy/plant.
The lilac is in a fairly sunny spot, we are in Surrey and the ground is chalky.

[Two_Sheds]

I'd go for anything in the cheap shops - you can pick clems up for about a pound fifty

Don't stress too much about the pruning; plant them a bit deeper than they were in their pot; keep the roots cool by shading with stones or other plants; make sure their heads are in the sun; tie the branches in horizontally (they'll try to go vertical) for more flowers

[dave_norm_smith]

Try these guys. If they can't offer you a suggestion it hasn't been bred yet and only a few miles from my door. Taylors Clematis Often show at Chelsea, infact they were invited in with 48 hours notice this year after somebody else dropped out.

[WendyC]

I find the "viticella" group do well. Easy pruning cut to 30cm or so in February. Flower later in the year. I have Etoile Violette (purple) just coming into flower now. It does mean it wouldn't flower at the same time as your lilac but you would be able to prune and clear away the dead stems before the lilac flowered and then have clematis later. Lots of lovely ones. Kermisina is a lovely deep red.

[Ricardo]

Thanks for taking the time to help everybody - its much appreciated. I'll look into the Taylor's Clematis site - loads of info, but (predictably I suppose) a bit rich for my shallow pockets.
Two sheds - could you elaborate a bit on "tying the branches in horizontally" for this idiot boy please?
Ta in advance....

[FionaH]

Make 'em go sideways instead of just straight up
Think thats what TS means anyway

[chris]

Aye - we've done that with ours. I've 4 or 5 different clematis.. the only thing I looked at what the height it'd grow to, and the colour

I've a few montanas running along a fence, and up a fir tree - pretty much for rapid cover. They also look great when going through a fir when flowering.