virgin's bower

Tolerant of a range of garden soils but best grown 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 (2-3in) deep to encourage new shoots to grow from below ground level

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe in containers in a cold frame. Propagate by rooting softwood cuttings in spring, or semi-ripe cuttings in early summer. Layering can be carried out in late winter or early spring

Cutworm and voles may cut young stems, aphids may attack young plants, slugs and snails may damage young shoots

Species clematis are usually unaffected by Clematis wilt