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, neutral soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast
• Flowering period: April to May
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Small, bell-shaped flowers that are pale pink darkening to towards the base, with deeper pink undersides and cream anthers, appear on this is early-flowering clematis from April to May, and are later followed by fluffy seed-heads. 'Willy' is a great clematis for a north or east-facing wall or trellis, and given suitable support it may be grown on its own or allowed to scramble through a strong shrub or tree.
  
  
• Garden care: Climbing clematis need their roots to be kept cool and moist, so plant the base of these clematis in light shade or provide shading with other plants or a dressing of pebbles. In early spring cut back the previous year's stems to a pair of strong buds about 15-20cm (6-8in) above ground-level and apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser and a mulch of well-rotted garden compost around the plant, avoiding the immediate crown.