Clematis alternatives

PERHAPS ten extremely well-known clematis account for three-quarters of all sales of this lovely flower. They are popular because they are so good and can be relied upon – insofar as any clematis is reliable. Like the Stuart kings, there is an incurable strain of treachery in their make-up.

Having familiarised himself with this double handful, the enthusiastic gardener will find that there are 100 more for him to choose from. Many of these offer themselves as excellent alternatives (avoiding the noxious word ‘substitutes’, which conjures up those maddening occasions when the nurseryman sent us what we did not want and did not send us what we particularly did want).

Suppose you want a purple