Plant a clematis

1 While your clematis is standing in a bowl of water to saturate its roots, dig a hole roughly 45cm away from the plant’s supporting wall or structure.

2 The hole should be twice as wide as the root ball and at least 5cm deeper. Add some wellrotted manure or compost.

3 Place the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is around

5cm below the surface of the soil. Holding it steady, infill with soil and compost, and firm it around the clematis.

4 Water well and add a layer of mulch to feed the roots and help retain moisture in the soil.