Gifted Clematis

First blooms opened today. This clematis has had a checkered life so far. I had admired this variety in a friends garden and they very kindly bought me one as a gift. I planted it at the base of an old apple tree with the aim of it climbing and providing some interest and colour prior to the apple blossom appearing.
Year one saw it grow about a couple of feet and had just three blooms. Last year its life was threatened by "son with mower" and a puppy who took a liking to it, so it was reduced to ground level with out flowering. Much to my delight new shoots appeared and it is now about seven feet up the apple trunk and hopefully fairly robust and able to withstand the onslaughts of all and sundry. It is now covered in buds and will give us enormous pleasure over the next few weeks.