This climber is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, well-drained, neutral soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast-growing
• Flowering period: April to May
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Semi-double, deep purplish-red, bell-shaped flowers, followed by fluffy seedheads in summer and mid-green leaves. This alpine clematis is a particularly free-flowering variety. An attractive choice for covering a north- or east-facing wall, it occasionally produces a second, smaller flush of flowers in summer.
  
  
• Garden care: No routine pruning is necessary. If the spread of the plant needs to be restricted prune immediately after flowering, cutting back overlong shoots to healthy buds. Apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser and a mulch of well-rotted garden compost around the base of the plant in early spring.