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Dogwood and clematis

oooftoooft Posts: 191
in Plants
Hi all. I've been removing what I believe to be dogwoods from a patch of land. They've gotten very thuggish and where branches touch the ground they've been making new trees. I've kept some of the stems with thoughts of poking them into the ground and making them into obelisks for climbers. My question is will they start rooting? If so what can I do to prevent this? My other question regards small supermarket clematis I bought cheaply. Are these good to go in now or should I be potting them on and waiting to plant them? Thanks

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd pot the clems on. I know others will disagree with me, but unless you have very suitable conditions, it isn't worth it. It also depends on the varieties. 
    Not sure about the dogwoods, but they'd be fine for annuals. I've often used prunings of buddleia for a bit of support for various things, although not climbers, and they root easily, but I just pull them out if that happens. 
    I think they would struggle to make any significant root growth and run away with the plot though. Someone else may have better advice on those.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • oooftoooft Posts: 191
    Fairygirl said:
    I'd pot the clems on. I know others will disagree with me, but unless you have very suitable conditions, it isn't worth it. It also depends on the varieties. 
    Not sure about the dogwoods, but they'd be fine for annuals. I've often used prunings of buddleia for a bit of support for various things, although not climbers, and they root easily, but I just pull them out if that happens. 
    I think they would struggle to make any significant root growth and run away with the plot though. Someone else may have better advice on those.  :)
    Hiya fairy *waves*. When would you be thinking to plant the clems out after potting on? Autumn? Next spring? I'm happy enough to wait. Give my dogwood stems time to be really deid! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Hi @oooft - waves back.... ;)
    It's hard to say. If they're filling a smallish pot [ 4 inch or so] just now ie [ roots showing]  I'd pot into a deeper pot - if you have any clem pots, they're perfect, as they aren't wide but they are deep, which encourages a good, deep root system. If you don't, use a standard pot the next sort of size up -  6 , 7 inch. If they fill that by end of summer, early autumn you could plant out, assuming ground, and site,  is suitable. If not - wait until next year  :)
    It's definitely one of those things you get a 'feel' for as time goes on. I'm always inclined to wait, and let clems get sturdier.
    Better able to withstand the inevitable slug onslaught  :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • oooftoooft Posts: 191
    Fairygirl said:

    Hi @oooft - waves back.... ;)
    It's hard to say. If they're filling a smallish pot [ 4 inch or so] just now ie [ roots showing]  I'd pot into a deeper pot - if you have any clem pots, they're perfect, as they aren't wide but they are deep, which encourages a good, deep root system. If you don't, use a standard pot the next sort of size up -  6 , 7 inch. If they fill that by end of summer, early autumn you could plant out, assuming ground, and site,  is suitable. If not - wait until next year  :)
    It's definitely one of those things you get a 'feel' for as time goes on. I'm always inclined to wait, and let clems get sturdier.
    Better able to withstand the inevitable slug onslaught  :D
    I'll take your advice as I've not had much luck with clems. Planted 10 or so since I've been here and only have two survivors. I've just papped them in the ground as babies and they've snuffed it. I'll love these ones and plant them out when they're sturdier
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's always better to wait.
    Do you know what varieties they are?
    You can always take a look at the specialists for a bit of extra info - Taylor's Clematis, Thorncroft and Hawthorne's.
    Richard Hodson often posts here - he runs Hawthorne's.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • WaysideWayside Posts: 845
    (I love the spreading habit of dogwoods.  Favourite self/seeder spreader in our garden.)
  • oooftoooft Posts: 191
    Fairygirl said:
    It's always better to wait.
    Do you know what varieties they are?
    You can always take a look at the specialists for a bit of extra info - Taylor's Clematis, Thorncroft and Hawthorne's.
    Richard Hodson often posts here - he runs Hawthorne's.  :)
    I do. I took pics of the labels before they dissolve. I'll check out those sites. Ta much
  • oooftoooft Posts: 191
    Wayside said:
    (I love the spreading habit of dogwoods.  Favourite self/seeder spreader in our garden.)
    I bought a chinese one recently, cornus kousa. It's staying in a pot. The ones I removed were blocking my lovely view into a field of cows and calves and were pushing into other trees that are there, stealing all the space and light. If I ever move to a place big enough to create a woodland I'll definitely plant some
  • WaysideWayside Posts: 845
    oooft said:
    Wayside said:
    (I love the spreading habit of dogwoods.  Favourite self/seeder spreader in our garden.)
    I bought a chinese one recently, cornus kousa. It's staying in a pot. The ones I removed were blocking my lovely view into a field of cows and calves and were pushing into other trees that are there, stealing all the space and light. If I ever move to a place big enough to create a woodland I'll definitely plant some

    Yep, I'm a convert, if only I had an acre or two!  They'd make a really nice informal hedge.
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