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alcenero

Expansion of the roots of clematis

alcenero
14 years ago

Hi

I have a question that may seem banal, but it is not.

At what depth can reach the roots of the clematis, and what is the space they occupy in width?

thank in advance.

Comments (6)

  • gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
    14 years ago

    I think it would depend on the soil conditions and the specific type of clematis, but they have the potential to get very large. I once had to remove a well-established C. armandii and the roots easily penetrated down to 18" and spread to more than 8'. And some of them were very thick -- much like a large shrub's. Since I wasn't trying to save the plant, only remove it, I chopped through the roots to get the crown out and left the rest to decompose in the ground.

  • alcenero
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Thank you for your answer.
    I'd like to know the difference between small-flowered hybrids, large-flowered hybrids and large climbing as Montana, orientalis and Armand.
    I really do think that some clematis can reach a depth of 40" otherwise they would be all planted in pots.
    What do you think about?

  • buyorsell888
    14 years ago

    I dug up (to relocate) a three year old 'Princess Diana' in excellent soil and the rootball fit into a 2 gallon pot.

    The rootball of a 3 year old 'Durandii' fit into two 1 gallon pots (I divided it)

    The rootball of a 5 year old 'Ville de Lyon' in hard clay soil fit into a 2 gallon pot.

    I shovel pruned a tangutica that was 3 in excellent soil and the roots extended less than 18" wide and 12" deep. A second one 'Grace' was a lot smaller and fell apart to the point that it died.

    I may not have gotted every single root but I did get the bulk of them.

  • FrozeBudd_z3/4
    14 years ago

    I recently read that viticella and vigorous large flowered types can have their roots go down as far as 4 ft. Last autumn, I had dug up large plants of 'Huldine' and 'Ville de Lyon' these had been in their new location for only two years, both had very thick congested root systems of about 20 x 20 inches ... though, with many roots penetrating below and into the harder subsoil, it took a real effort to dig and lift these big heavy buggers out, gggrrr! I originally dug the site down to a depth of 30 inches, though then went another spade depth and incorporated more manure and peat moss. These clems will now enjoy very good soil amended to an extreme depth ... either I will have killed them with kindness, or they'll go totally nuts! It's often suggested to dig to a depth of 18" x 18" and even as little as 12" x 12" ... this is okay if good soil exists beyond this region, though not so ideal if heavy clay is present.

    Terry

  • alcenero
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Thank you all for your extensive replies.

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