clematis [Octopus]

Grow in full sun or partial shade in containers (at least 45cm deep and wide) or in the ground, in cool, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil, with the crown 5-8cm deep to encourage new shoots to grow from below ground level; keep the base of the plant and the roots cool and shaded by other plants or a layer of pebbles or flat stones; for more advice, see clematis cultivation

Propagate by internodal leaf-bud semi-ripe cuttings taken from spring to late summer, or by layering from late winter to spring

May be affected by aphids, capsid bug, caterpillars, and glasshouse red spider mite; flowers may be damaged by earwigs; young shoots are vulnerable to slugs and snails; container-grown plants may be affected by vine weevils

May be affected by clematis wilt, powdery mildews, fungal leaf spots, and virus diseases; pruned stems may be affected by clematis slime flux