Pruning & Transplanting Clematis (and other plants)

Ah, the clematis, one of the most beautiful and frustrating of plants. I counted five books on my shelf devoted to them, and I still have to consult them every year when it is time to prune. This year I'm doing something new - moving a few that are obviously not doing well (lack of sun, more than likely).

I'm worried about one of my favorites - 'Jackmanii Superba'.  First, I had to dig it up when the new gate was constructed. This clematis was massive, and the bottom stalk looked like a small tree. I divided it to give a piece to my neighbor. Somewhere along the way, it was cut back all the way down to the trunk. I'm still asking myself how this happened. Only time will tell if I've killed the poor thing. It has been replanted, and so far, no signs of life.

Others that I decided to move were not subjected to that abuse and were moved immediately after I dug them up.  This is 'Etoile Violette'. This rampant variety was along the front fence and it always got tangled up in the plants surrounding in. I have moved it to the back gate and fence, where I hope it is better suited.

The ground is moist from all the rain we've received and fortunately, the root ball stayed intact. This clematis falls under the "C" category of pruning and one I like best - you just cut it down to the ground. I'm trying a new product that I've heard good things about - Epsoma Organic Bio-tone Starter. Has anyone else tried it?

'Etoile Violette' in its new home -

More pruning - 

About a month ago, I pruned the Harlequin Glorybower (Clerodendrum) for the first time. Before and after -

I've always pruned the Chaste Tree (Vitex) but I do it moderately -

I'm always sad to cut back the 'Midwinter Fire' cornus but at least, the branches can be used in an arrangement -

Of course the Butterfly Bush is cut way back -

In addition, of course there are roses to be pruned. Today I pruned a little on the Strawberry Tree (Abrbutus) as well as the Tea Olive (Osmanthus).

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy