Ten year ago when I left my last house, one of the plants that I dug up to take with me was quite an unusual clematis. It had taken me quite a while to find, but now it’s easily sourced.

It was created in the botanic gardens in the Crimea, hence it’s a tough little beauty. Every year I ignore it and back it comes to flower for several weeks each summer.

When I found this clematis, she was known as Ajonushka, now she seems to have several versions, Alyonushka, Alionushka and Aljenushka. Whatever you choose to call her, if you see her in your garden centre, she’s worth every penny!