This climber is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast
• Flowering period: May to June and September
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Large, deep purple flowers with a scarlet bar running down the middle of each petal appear early in the summer. The flowers on this compact form can be 10cm (4") across with prominent yellow and red anthers sitting in the centre of the blooms. 'Mrs N. Thompson' can often have a second flush later in the year.
  
  
• Garden care: Remove dead and damaged stems before growth begins in early spring, cutting all remaining stems back to where strong buds are visible. Apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser and a mulch of of well-rotted garden compost around the base of the plant in early spring.