Choosing clematis

This section helps you pick a clematis that suits the space you actually have, whether that is a pot on a patio, a shady north-facing wall or an open border.

The guides tackle the questions that come up before you buy. Which types stay compact enough for containers, and what do they need to thrive there? Which climbers cope with shade without sulking? How do the main groups differ in height, flowering time and pruning needs, and why does that matter when you choose? You will also find profiles of individual varieties, from vigorous spring montanas to double summer flowers, comparisons that set similar plants side by side, and a look at large-flowered hybrids by colour alongside the smaller alpina, macropetala and texensis types that suit British gardens.