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Clematis growth positioning

SeniorSamSeniorSam Posts: 25
in Plants
I had to move the position of a trellis and a well established Clematis now has it's roots some 24" away from the upright and within a boxtree hedge.  I didn't want to move the roots of the clematis, but also do not want the new growth growing up from the root through the hedge.  Is there a way to 'direct' the established stem growth that is 2' long before the trellis upright so that new shoots only come up from th base of the trellis.

My thoughts were to loosly wrap the first part of the growth from ground to trellis with black or clear plastic, or other material, leaving it in there to continue growing and moving up the trellis as before.  When finished flowering we usually cut it down to the level of the hedge at the trellis. Hope I have made myself clear.
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  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,153
    You could just place some canes from the base of plant angled  towards the trellis and carefully tie in new growth that doesn’t cling to the canes to persuade it to go in the right direction
    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • SeniorSamSeniorSam Posts: 25
    Thank you, but the new shoots will continue to grow 'upwards' from their root through the hedge 2' from the trellis. I tried to explain, perhaps badly, that I need the shoots  going from the base  sideways to the trellis (or diagonally to where the trellis meets to low box hedge aout 30" high), then up the trellis.

    Perhaps think of a rainwater pipe with the shoots from where the shoots start, through the pipe and THEN up the trellis.  Perhaps a pipe would work, but then again, there may be something more suitable? The old growth remaining is about 2' long, but now shooting before it gets to the hedge.

    Any more ideas please?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Wait till those stems are long enough to lie down and then guide the longer growth up the trellis.  Do that with any new stems that appear from the base.

    Wrapping it in plastic will just rot it. 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • SeniorSamSeniorSam Posts: 25
    Thank you. They are almost long enough to reach the trellis, as I left them long when building it. By just laying it along,horizontally will still leave shoots to pop up vertically between the root and the trellis. I wondered if there was something to perhaps 'shelter' to 2' length so that once on the trellis, the old stems do not send up more shots within the hedge. Perhaps even laying on the ground and putting small slabs on top, but that seems not right?

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited May 2018
    Try just lying them down when they're long enough to have spare to tie into the trellis.  You could peg them down with the metal hoops they sell for holding down weed-proofing membrane.   If they shoot again from the horizontal parts just train those in when long enough or, maybe, cover with semi circular style terracotta roof tiles so they can breathe but not have light.

    Be aware that happy clems produce more stems from the base every year so it will be a case of constant vigilance.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • SeniorSamSeniorSam Posts: 25
    Thank you. The terracotta roof tiles sounds good. Will see how I get on as they grow this year. Many thanks

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    What about layering the clematis at the base of the new trellis, then digging up/destroying the mother plant next year when the layered material is well established?  
    Utah, USA.
  • SeniorSamSeniorSam Posts: 25
    Ahhhhh, not quite sure what that means, but taking a guess, allowing the shoots to 'sow' themselves under the trellis and create new rooting system, then chopping off the original? 

    If that's the case, will the newly layered rooting be as strong and healthy. This particular clematis has been in the garden 20+ years and produces a lovely crop, all be it browning off above the hedge as it grows up the trellis towards the end of the growing season. Then it's cut off just below the top of the hedge and cleared from the trellis until the next year.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Yep, you've got it.  I expect the 'vigor' will be reduced for a few years as the plant establishes new roots, but as it's a clone it will perform similarly.  Slightly different soil/sun/rain conditions will have some environmental impact on it's growth, but as it's fairly close it should be minimal.  

    Image result for layering clematis
    Do some searching and reading on the topic.. I've not done it myself, so am no expert!  
    Utah, USA.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Clematis are usually propagated from cuttings or seeds but layering is possible if done in late winter and early spring.  However, I've never known anyone who's done it.

    Have a look at this info from the RHS on growing clems.  It includes a section on propagating with a further link to layering techniques.  I suspect you'll have to be very patient and try it with several stems to improve your chances. - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=97 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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