clematis [Sally]

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

Pruning (clematis) group 2, light prune for early flowers. Remove dead and damaged stems before growth begins in early spring. Trim all remaining stems to strong buds. Hard prune for easy-care option using Pruning (clematis) group 3

Propagate from cuttings (climbers) or layering, for home use

Young shoots may be attacked by aphids, slugs, snails or caterpillars

May suffer from clematis diseases such as clematis slime flux and clematis wilt or powdery mildews