purple clematis

Tolerant of a range of garden soils but best grown in 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 root ball 5- 8cm (2-3in) below the soil surface to encourage new shoots from below soil level

Root softwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in early summer. Propagate by layering in late winter or early spring

Slugs and snails, and voles may damage young shoots and cut through young stems. Aphids may attack young growth

Powdery mildew may be a problem; clematis wilt is unlikely to affect species clematis but graft failure or slug damage may cause wilting