The chocolate vine is an unusual climber, that can suffer damage from late frosts. The maroon-chocolate flowers look almost artificial, with waxy 'petals' forming an inverted cup shape. These are clustered along the stems and have an exotic spicy fragrance with a hint of vanilla. They stand out against a background of light purple, three-lobed leaves, most colourful in full sun. In mild conditions the leaves last all winter but in cold areas expect them to be shed. After a particularly warm summer, large sausage-shaped fruit dangle from the stems. 

5L  €15.00 

An old French variety 'Etoile Violette' holds its own among modern varieties and has been given the Royal Horticultural Society's prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM) which is for plants of outstanding excellence. Vigorous and free-flowering, it produces its violet flowers from mid-summer to early autumn. As with all the late-flowering clematis, pruning is easy. Simply cut back the stems to a pair of strong buds 15-20cm (6-8in) above ground level before growth begins in early spring. This pruning technique makes late-flowering clematis useful for training into shrubs, trees and climbing roses. 

5L   €12.50 

Another French variety 'Rouge Cardinal' produces masses of gorgeous crimson flowers from mid-summer to early autumn. Careful training is required as the plant tends to be quite floppy. 

5L  €12.50 

A single English ivy plant can find many uses all round the garden. It can be used to cover a wall in shade where few other plants thrive, it can be trained to climb up or spread out along a low wall. Being evergreen, it is perfect for covering pergola poles, or creating a leafy backdrop under clematis and climbing roses that provides winter interest. Or use young plants to train around the outsides of winter hanging baskets. English ivy can be trimmed into shape at any time of year. 

9cm pot  €2.00