Clematis alpina 'Helsingborg'

Very nice, think i must try adding more of these early small flowered ones ,for me they thrive much better than the large flowered ones.

Yes, here as well, Brian. I seem to be successful with viticellas and cirrhosas too.

I love them, and they do grow so well. The thing that puts me off them is the fact that they flower so early and then nothing but a mass of green and brown for the rest of the year, as you can't really prune them. I just need a bigger garden, that's all! This one is lovely...but I love them all!

Yours is way ahead of mine spritz - it's only just started to put out green shoots here

Karen - you could train one through an established shrub that flowers later in the year, and get two seasons of interest in one space

That's because you live in cold Berkshire, Andrew! LOL.

Colder but drier!

That's a thought Andrew....now, do I have any shrubs that aren't already partnering a clematis...or two....hmmm!

So pretty, we do not have many Alpinas, must look out for some...

Karen - the trick is to plant them two or three feet away (to give them a good root run to start), and lead them to their host with a cane