Clematis Parasol

Choose a sunny or semi-shaded position. In a sunny position, shade the base of your plant with a ground cover plant or a perennial geranium. Clematis plants like their roots kept cool. Plant your clematis by covering the root ball with 3 cm (1in) of soil, in earth worked to a depth of 20 cm (8in) and lightened with good compost. In the first few weeks, water abundantly and regularly. Clematis plants cling with their tendrils. To promote their growth, provide them with a trellis or help them dress the trunk of a tree by placing a wire mesh. Clematis plants also like to grow freely on neighbouring plants.