Clematis 'Justa', also known as Clematis viticella, is a particularly compact variety of Old Man's Beard. It is therefore best suited to sunny or partially shady patio containers, where it can be grown up a trellis. In July, August and September, the climbing plant produces interesting, star-shaped flowers, which are purple with white stamens. In the autumn, the hardy shrub should be pruned, ready to start growing again the following spring. Height: 1.5m (4'11). Spread: 1m (3'3). Pruning group 3.
Clematis 'Honora' has large, deep purple flowers that will appear between June and July and then followed with a second display in of blooms in late summer. The flowers are large with slightly paddle shaped petals with a distinct burgundy stripe through the centre. 'Honora' is a classic clematis variety so will look beautiful scrambling up walls, fences or trained in containers. It's a low maintenance climber that just requires pruning to almost ground level and it will grow again the following year. Height: 3.5m (11'). Spread: 1m (3'). Pruning group: 3.
Clematis 'Fujimusume' produces purple-blue single flowers up to 20cm (8) across that contrast beautifully with the creamy-yellow anthers. The flowers appear in June and July and then again in later summer, followed by stunning golden seed heads which extend the season of interest well into the autumn. Worthy of a prominent position in your garden, this RHS AGM winner is tough and relatively compact, making it ideal for growing against walls and fences or even in a large patio container. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 1m (3'). Pruning group: 2.
Clematis cartmanii 'Early Sensation' features waxy, evergreen foliage which contrasts superbly with the upturned white flowers, with their soft apple-green bases and yellow-green stamens, which appear between February and April. Later, magnificent seedheads are formed, lasting throughout the year and certainly helping this variety to live up to its common name of Old Man's Beard. This beautiful hardy climber is perfect for those looking to extend the season of interest in their garden as it flowers early in the year when there is little else to be found. Clematis 'Early Sensation' will happily grow up a sunny, sheltered wall and is the perfect choice for your patio or even conservatory. This non-clinging climber will happily ascend the vertical posts of a garden obelisk or pergola. Height: 2m (6' 6). Spread: 1m (3' 3). Pruning group: 1.
This eye-catching clematis variety originally called Clematis 'Bagatelle' and now often called Clematis 'Dorothy Walton', is a late summer bloomer with upturned star shaped, mauve flowers with a central darker stripe down each petal. Happy in sun or semi-shade Clematis 'Dorothy Walton' can be placed in containers with supports or allowed to clothe walls, trellises, pergolas and fences, all that is required is that it's cut back to almost ground level each year. Height: 4m (12'). Spread: 1m (3'). Pruning group: 3.
Clematis 'Caroline' flowers early in the summer and frequently bears a second flush of colour in September, doubling the interest in your garden. The elegant rose pink flowers are star shaped and will look superb amongst other subtle pastel shades. This adaptable compact variety will climb if planted near to a wall or fence but looks equally impressive in trellis containers, particularly next to a pink or white climbing rose. This clematis is the perfect gift for anyone but especially those named Caroline! Height: 2m (6'). Spread: 1m (3'). Pruning group: 2.
Clematis is a glorious climber that can be relied upon to turn heads and this beautiful variety is no exception. Clematis 'Blekitny Aniol' or 'Blue Angel' is aptly named as the delicate pastel blue flowers have graceful frilled petal edges that will catch the slightest breeze to give an ethereal quality to the plant. The flowers are in full bloom from June until September and it's happiest in partial shade. You are sure to have a wall, fence, trellis or even container that is the perfect backdrop for this angelic plant. Height: 4m (12'). Spread: 1m (3'). Pruning group: 3.
Integrifolia Clemitases are hybrids that, instead of climbing up fences and trellises, spread horizontally in borders to give dense, weed-proof ground cover. Alternatively, Clematis 'Arabella' can be planted on top of a wall or steep slope, where it will cascade downwards. This spectacle will look particularly impressive in the summer and early autumn, when the hardy perennial's exotic, purple and white flowers are in bloom. Old Man's Beard plants need plenty of light, so are best suited to sunny or partially shady areas of the garden. Height: 2m (6'7). Spread: 1m (3'3). Pruning group 3.
Clematis 'Comtesse de Bouchard' is a stunning late-flowering, vigorous variety that produces mauve-pink flowers from June to September. Dating back to 1900, it is still comparable to modern cultivars, as shown by its RHS AGM. This versatile climber is both tough and forgiving and looks exceptional in borders or containers, performing equally well in sun or shade. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 1m (3'). Pruning group: 3.
Most Old Man's Beard plants boast impressive flowers, but Clematis 'Asao' offers unique, two-tone, pink blooms of up to 13cm (5) wide. Their petals unfurl in May, revealing contrasting, yellow stamens. Provided the hardy shrub is grown in sunlight or partial shade up a wall, on a trellis or in a patio container, it will produce a second flush of flowers in the early autumn. The plant is therefore sure to brighten up any cottage garden throughout the season. Height: 2m (6'7). Spread: 1m (3'3). Pruning group 2.
Large star shaped velvety purple flowers will bloom in June and October.
Digitalis purpurea is a dainty, delicate Foxglove with peach-coloured flowers, which give it the alternative name 'Dalmatian Peach'. These blooms appear on characteristic, upright stems, which add structure and architecture to borders in cottage gardens, woodland gardens and cut flower gardens alike. The hardy biennial is equally deserving of a place in wildlife areas, for bees love its nectar-rich florets. These insects will 'buzz off' when the flowers die after midsummer, but are sure to be back the next year if you allow the plant to seed around. Height: 50cm (1'8). Spread: 40cm (1'4).