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prairiegirlz5

Moving a Clematis Vine

16 years ago

I have a clematis vine Niobe that is just this year starting to bud and bloom nicely. Problem is, I planted it without a trellis, and now I think it would look better climbing our lamp-post, not trailing on the ground. There is no room for another structure in this bed, and the lamp-post is pretty central. Can I move the vine, and when? I know it needs to be planted two nodes deep. Also, how do I get it to climb the post? It is a real working natural gas-light. I see in pics on the clematis forum, square wire fencing, what is that and where is it sold? I have only been able to find pond netting, hardware cloth and chicken wire. Thanks!

Comments (10)

  • 16 years ago

    I dont think you can transplant it now that its budding. I think fall or early spring is the time to transplant. See what others have to say, I may be wrong.

  • 16 years ago

    I had to dig up some of mine due to getting new siding on house and shed and I cut them back, dug them up and stuck them in big pots where they all sit because DH hasn't finished painting the shed. They've all been fine. I dug them all up in July and August, not the best time but if you keep them watered they should be fine.

    To climb a lamp post it will need wire or net or string. I have not had good luck with nylon netting or chicken wire. Others have.

    Wire livestock fence is at Home Depot or feed stores.

  • 16 years ago

    I agree, early spring or fall are the best for transplanting, but it can be done virtually any time with some extra care. Most of the top growth should be cut back. I am not sure how you are going to bury two nodes. The second nodes on my Clematis are 1'-2' from the crown. The usual recommendation is the crown should be 2-6" below the surface.

    Personally, I do not like the look of wires and nets, especially in winter when the vines are bare. I bought this trellis to plant a Clematis next to a pole.

  • 16 years ago

    The trick with the chicken wire is to get the 2' wide hole wire not the little 1' holes wire. I learned that the hard way. Now all my clematis are climbing fine. You can also spray paint it flat black to make it less visible.

  • 16 years ago

    We buy the green vinyl-coated fencing that has squares, use it against a background of evergreens or at the empty space at the bottom of old iron bedframes, etc to get the vines started upward. Then we use the more flexible green vinyl-coated chicken wire w/small holes to make 1' high cages around the bottom of trellises, obelisks, etc so the nasty rabbits can't cut off the stems. We need to protect all our clems from the critters. The green blends with surrounding plants so it not very noticable.

  • 16 years ago

    I used a black plastic netting around my black lamppost which is flexible and invisible in the winter. I just secured it to the post with twist ties. Does a good job for me.

  • 16 years ago

    alina 1, that trellis is a great idea. Wish it was taller though. I'll have to browse and see if there are taller ones. So much more attractive than wire or net.

  • 16 years ago

    BorS,
    I bought this smaller trellis for Clematis 'Bijou' which is dwarf. I want to install the trellis around the pole with the humming bird feeder.

    This one is taller and wider. I have several of them installed next to my gazebo. I really like how half-round sections create a 3D display for Clematis.

    Side view:

    {{gwi:245230}}

    Front view:

    {{gwi:245232}}

    This model comes in a smaller size too.

  • 16 years ago

    I've never mail ordered a trellis but I may have to now. enabler.

    From the size of those Clemmies in your pic the trellis must be sturdy.

    I have never seen the round or half round ones locally, just obelisks and they are much more expensive.

  • 16 years ago

    For what it's worth, I just had to move a sweet autumn clematis to save it from getting destroyed during a fence installation. I was in a hurry and did it rather haphazardly. I did not cut back the top growth despite the fact that it is quite large with lots of stems that had grown up into some trees. I thought for sure I'd lose some of it, but I kept my fingers crossed and have kept it well-watered. A week later, it seems to be fine and growing in its new location.

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