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: fast-growing
• Flowering period: July to September
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Quick to establish, this free-flowering clematis has glorious velvety plum-purple blooms, deeper in colour at the tips and margins, but fading to dreamy-blue tones as the season progresses. 'Purpurea' has beautiful dark green foliage, which makes it perfect for contrasting with pale green and variegated leaved plants. It looks stunning scrambling through trees, shrubs and climbing roses.
  
  
• Garden care: In early spring cut back the previous year's stems to a pair of strong buds about 15-20cm (6-8in) above ground level and apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser and a mulch of well-rotted garden compost around the plant, avoiding the immediate crown.