Transplanting a well established Clematis?

15 years ago

I HAVE to move 2 very well established vines because a fence is being put up. They have already bloomed for the season. How would I go about doing this? Do they have taproots? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (5)

janetpetiole
15 years ago
Even just a 3 year old plant has a surprisingly massive and dense root system. Cut the vines back to about 8-12". Dig the root ball as big and deeply as possible, but even and 18x18 inch rootball is going to be difficult to manage. It has to be small enough that it can be moved and replanted without too much fuss. I recommend having a male helper if you can. It takes a lot to lift the root ball out if the ground.

I wouldn't worry about moving it though, Clematis are fairly tough and forgiving plants. I have dropped rootballs, and soil has fallen away, but they all seem to respond well once they have a chance to settle in. It could take a year or two. At least that has been my experience. I've had clematis that do even better following a move as it gets their root ball shaken up a bit. :)
ditas
15 years ago
Thank you J-p for the root system info on Clems ~ it's always a worry not knowing about size & depth to dig when relocating plants of any species. So glad we have this G-Wed to learn from!
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Cricket_Love
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you! I was worried it may have a taproot like an oriental poppy! We have had many overcast and rainy days here. So, I will have DH help and we will get her moved then!
mnwsgal
15 years ago
Dig wide and deep. Occasionally when I move clematis I haven't gotten all the root system but they still transplant well. Sometimes the roots left in the ground will push up new vines. If I know there is more root left I will dig it up and put it in a pot. Those roots might grow a new plant for me.
eden_in_me
15 years ago
I have been reasonably successful in dividing some of my older clems that have multiple stems.In some cases, both (or all) pieces have survived, sometimes only one. A few I nibbled a hunk from the outside edge, but digging & dividing works better for me. The biggest failure was last Fall's division or Helsingborg into 3 parts. I had it for about 5 years & never got a flower, so I tried 3 different locations. One started a tiny new stem near the soil, but it dried out before growing.Another one has done nothing, but the roots do not pull out of the ground like the 3rd one did. So maybe something may come of these yet. No great loss if they don't, I really didn't need a humongeous leafy vine hogging the trellis.