Have you ever had one of your clematis overtake an area in your yard? Has an established clematis that you thought would reach the moon only manage to grow a couple of feet high? Have you mistakenly assumed a corner of your garden had plenty of sunlight for growing clematis only to find it was more like a dungeon? Have some of your clematis outgrow their containers? Will you be moving in the near future and would like to take one (or more) of your prized clematis to your new home? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions you might like to know that a when your clematis is dormant is the best times of year to transplant and/or repot your clematis. The exception of course would be if you happen to live in a colder locale and the ground has already frozen.
In my early clematis years (the princess years) you might say I was reluctant to recommend transplanting clematis because back then I believed in the old gardeners’ fable “do not disturb the clematis’ rootball because it will damage their delicate root system”. To be honest, I was a bit squeamish about the whole idea of relocating my babies because of the things I had read about their rootballs being so sensitive. I am here though to reassure those of you who are afraid of making a move because you still agree with that myth that since that time I have performed many moves on both well-established clematis as well as preemies without any traumatization or casualties. I also know plenty of fellow clematis gardeners who have thrown this cautionary tale to the wind with no dire results. I would like to go one step further and proclaim that clematis roots are quite tough (i.e. resilient). That being the case certainly doesn’t mean that I am suggesting you can deploy explosives or use a jackhammer to excavate your baby’s rootball. So, before you put shovel to dirt, here are some techniques that I use when implementing my relocation game plan.
Moving Your Clematis
1. The best time to transplant a clematis is when it is dormant because it is asleep, thus causing less stress on its root system.
2. The ideal weather to transplant is when it is cool and overcast. Do not plant during hot or windy periods. If this can’t be avoided, provide some shading after planting.
3. Have your new hole ready prior to the excavation by preparing the new planting site as you would for a new plant.
4. I prefer using a pitchfork to dig it out, but any trusty pointed shovel will work. Help preserve the roots by trying to dig out as much of the rootball as possible.
5. Transfer it to its new home, planting the clematis 3 to 5 inches deeper than previously to encourage new growth from the root system.
6. Thoroughly water in a solution of seaweed extract.
7. Prune back the uppermost stems by half to compensate for any loss of roots.
8. Attach it to a support.
9. Finally, make a Physan 20 drench and soak the planting site to help prevent any stem rot or fungus.
Repotting a Containerized Clematis
Just as with plants in the ground, the most ideal time to perform this operation is while your clematis are dormant. Clematis should be repotted every 2 to 3 years for best results.
Note: If you are transplanting from the ground to a container, gently remove as much of the soil from the rootball before drenching the roots with the Physan 20 solution and making the move.
1. Water your dormant clematis thoroughly a day before you intend to repot it.
2. If you are transferring your plant to a new container, make sure it is already in its chosen location and the soil mixture is ready to go.
3. Remove your clematis from its old container/location. If it is stuck in the pot, I have found that taking a broomstick and pushing it into the drainage hole is a very effective way of loosening the plant’s grip.
4. Rootbound roots, meaning those wrapping around that form a ball, MUST be teased out, so rake your fingers gently through the roots to loosen them.
5. Transfer the plant to its new home. Use a mixture of fresh, fast-draining, soilless soil. If practical, plant the clematis 3 to 5 inches deeper than previously to encourage new growth from the root system. If you are utilizing an old container, sanitize it because it could be harboring unknown fungus spores. Use a solution of Physan 20 (¼ teaspoon Physan and 2 cups water) and thoroughly wash the container with the mixture.
6. If there has been any significant loss of roots, prune back the uppermost stems by half.
7. Provide it with some kind of support.
8. After transplanting, water completely with a solution of seaweed extract.