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Moving a Duchess of Edinburgh Clematis
CharleyD
Posts: 440
I put a D of E Clematis in a pot against all advice and although it flowered quite well last year (the second year planted), this year it hasn't flowered at all and doesn't look like it will and in fact the growth is a little stunted too.
So I've decided to take it out of the pot and put it in the ground with one of those Obelisks to support it. My question is,do you think it would flower later on in the summer, if I cut it back now, enough to transplant it? I'm kind of impatient to put it right ...
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I reckon it would be fine to plant out now, Charley, but best to prune hard back before doing so.
It won't flower this year.
A lovely cultivar, but not easy.
I've just cut mine back to move it as it's not ideal for the area I have it in. They seem to produce a lot of growth compared to flowers. I heard that after I got it - would you say that's accurate Richard?
I'm hoping the new site will give better access to it for training even more horizontally. I found many buds went limp and died back this year, but we had a lot less rain in spring than normal.
i'll persevere with it for another year or two...maybe!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Ok, if it's not going to flower this year, I think I'll leave it where it is and transplant it next February/March when I cut it down to a strong pair of buds. Thanks Richard.
Fairygirl, that was definitely my experience last year. Loads of growth and although the flowers were stunning, there were definitely less flowers compared to the growth it had produced. Maybe that will change when we transplant them!
I think it sort of goes with the territory on that variety Charley, but i'd be interested to hear what Richard says, and any advice he can offer. Mine has had the same treatment as any other clematis in that location, re watering, food etc. It just isn't as successful, so it's a bit disappointing. It's the only clematis I've ever had that hasn't flourished.
I bought it as a variation to my other white one which has a more standard single flower (Miss Bateman) and is a bit earlier. I actually like it best before the flowers open - when they're like whirlygigs!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hm. I think perhaps the D of E is a little precious because like you, I've got other clematis plants which are absolutely thriving. Hopefully Richard will come back again soon :-)
Yes, as I said earlier, a lovely cultivar but not easy. But, in its favour is the fact that it was raised in 1874 and has been used as parent for many other new varieties, so it certainly has staying power.
It was never a success here, probably due to the excess water in Winter on the marshland where we garden.
Excess foliage and few flowers usually means too much nitrogen has been given.
Sorry I cant help further, please keep us updated.
Thanks Richard - I was hoping you'd have a magic solution!
I know what you mean about excess nitrogen, but mine certainly hasn't had that - it's had the same treatment as the EV nearby - a bit of blood, fish & bone in spring and a bit of watering during the strangely dry spring. We have high rainfall here (west of Scotland) but it's in a purpose built raised bed with good drainage to help combat the wet weather and the clay soil. Again, nothing different from all my other plants - which are thriving as normal.
I'm moving it soon, so that it's easier for me to access to tie in to supports. That was partly to combat the lush growth lower down, and hopefully get more flowers at a better height. I'll experiment with it next year and see if it's any better!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I lost D of E after 10 years. It gradually got weaker but had same treatment as other clematis.