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Re-plant leggy clems?

15 years ago

I planted my first clems a couple of years ago and didn't know that I should plant deep to encourage multiple stems. My 3 Niobes have bloomed the past two years, and they and 1 Perle d'Azur are now putting out healthy-looking leaves--but at the end of long, leggy, single stems. Could I dig them up and re-plant them deeper now? Or in the fall? Or is it too late altogether? Thanks for your advice.

Comments (3)

buyorsell888
15 years ago
You'd likely get better results by hard pruning them.

Perle d'Azur is a type III hard prune every year and Niobe is a II that can be done as a III.
rjlinva
15 years ago
I would probably dig them up, dig a deeper hole, ammend the hole with manure/alfalfa, plant the crown about 4-6 inches below the surface of the soil, then cut the canes back to about 6-10 inches above the surface of the soil.

Robert
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nckvilledudes
15 years ago
If you don't want to dig them up, just mound soil up around a large area around the crowns and you will in essence have planted them deeper. Cover the area with mulch and it will help the soil stay in place.

I also agree that if you have not pruned them back hard yet I would do that. I treat Niobe as a type III clematis in my garden.

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