clematis [Sarah Elizabeth]

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

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 by layering, for home use

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