Moving a Clematis

Langhorne, PA

I have a Clematis that blooms in the fall (little white flowers). It is competing with a Wisteria on our Pergola. I want to transplant the Clematis for 2 reasons.

1. The leaves dry up and fall all over the place making a mess.
2. There is too much competition for space between the clematis and wisteria.

Is the a right or wrong way to dig up an existing clematis vine?

What is the best way to transplant it to a temporary spot until I can decide where to put it permanently.

Thanks
Anne
alexa100

Columbia Heights, MN(Zone 4a)

I don't think this would be difficult. The gal that lives accross the street from me, not knowing anything about Clematis, dug hers up to make divisions and it worked. I would think as long as you are careful to take enough soil with it, it may not even know it was moved. Whenever I move a plant, I always dig the hole it will go into first, and then when I dig up the plant, try to take about the same size clump of dirt.

Columbia Heights, MN(Zone 4a)

You probably want to cut the vines back to about a foot. If the plant needs old wood to bloom, you won't have any this year, but next year it should start blooming again.

Ellicott City, MD(Zone 7a)

alexa100: It sounds like the "white blooms in the fall (little white flowers)" sounds like it might be Sweet Autumn Clematis. It is one of the more aggressive Clematis vines. I would dig it up NOW, just as it is starting to leaf out. Dig up a very generous size root ball and move it to a freshly dug hole that has been amended with cow manure, bone meal, and good soil. If you don't have a permanent spot for it right now, put it in a 3-5 gallon container. Don't fertilize it until it is well established. Make sure to keep it watered and don't let it dry out. It will reward you will lots of blooms, if not this year, then next.

Langhorne, PA

Thank you all for the great advise.

Will be moving it shortly.

Anne

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