Plant of the week

Clematis: Usually thought of as spring and summer bloomers, but in a mild autumn and in a sheltered garden, some may still be throwing out flowers in December.

Such is the case with C “Polish Spirit”, pictured here in fine form in the first week of December, It’s a medium-sized, deciduous form which should be pruned in late winter or early spring, cutting back stems to a pair of healthy buds. Grow it in a beefed-up, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil with its roots in the shade and its head in the sun.