clematis [Cassis]

Plant in a moisture-retentive, well-drained soil, with the roots and base of the plant kept cool and shaded by other plants or a layer of pebbles at the base. Plant with the crown 5-8cm deep to encourage new shoots to grow from below ground level. See clematis cultivation for further advice

Clematis pruning: group three - Cut back last year's stems to a pair of strong buds 20cm above soil level before new growth begins in early spring

Propagate by layering or semi-hardwood cuttings

Young shoots may be troubled by aphids and caterpillars; petals can be eaten by earwigs

May suffer from clematis slime flux. Likely to be somewhat tolerant of clematis wilt