Clematis have their roots in the Far East. The first example, C. Viticella, arrived in Europe in the mid-16th century. Two centuries later, the Victorians bred numerous varieties and their popularity continues. The native climber is C. Vitalba, a familiar sight in autumn hedgerows, the fluffy seed heads explaining the traditional name: Old Man’s Beard.

Flowering mid-summer to early autumn.

• Well drained, fertile soil
• South facing, west facing, or east facing.
• Full sun, partial shade
• Exposed or sheltered

• Clematis likes cool roots, so position it so that the roots will be shaded from the sun by another plant.
• Consider the space it will need to climb and provide a suitably large structure with wires.
• Group 3 for pruning