clematis [Picardy]

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. Can be grown in containers at least 45cm deep and wide in a soil-based potting compost. See clematis cultivation for further advice

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 wilt and clematis slime flux