How to Transplant Blue Angel Clematis in the Fall

Select a new planting location in the spring prior to transplanting the “Blue Angel” clematis in the fall. The new planting site must get at least four hours of direct sunlight and the soil must drain quickly. Do not plant “Blue Angel” clematis where water pools or drains slowly. There must be enough room for 3 to 4 feet of space on either side of the clematis. Test the soil pH to determine if it is neutral to alkaline with a pH of 7 or higher. Mix lime into the soil to raise the pH to 7 if it is very acidic -- with a pH below 6.5.

Wait until the “Blue Angel” clematis stops blooming and loses its leaves in the fall. Water it generously and use sharp pruners to prune the stems back to a height of 1 foot before digging it up.

Dig the new planting hole 2 feet wide by 2 to 3 feet deep. Dig the hole 12 inches in front of a fence or support structure. Erect a 2- to 3-foot-wide by 8- to 12-foot-tall trellis if there is not already a support structure in place. Put the soil from the planting hole into a wheelbarrow. Fill the hole with water and allow it to soak into the surrounding soil before transplanting the clematis.

Mix well-aged manure, compost, leaf mold or soil-based potting soil into the garden soil in the wheelbarrow for a fill dirt that consists of half organic matter or potting soil and half garden soil. Add perlite or a shovelful of expanded shale to the mix for improved drainage. Place 4 inches of well-aged compost in the bottom of the planting hole. Spread 1 inch of fill dirt mixture over the compost.

Push a garden fork all the way into the soil 1 foot away from the clematis stems and push up under the clematis to lift it up. Leave the root ball as intact as possible. Set it on a piece of heavy plastic sheeting or in a wheelbarrow to move it to the new planting hole.

Slide the “Blue Angel” clematis off the plastic sheeting or out of the wheelbarrow into the planting hole, carefully. Set it with the top of the root ball 3 to 5 inches lower than the surrounding soil level. Lift the clematis out of the hole carefully by the root ball, if necessary, to adjust the depth of the hole. Place it back in the hole and fill in around the root ball with the amended fill dirt.

Water the newly planted clematis generously to help settle the soil around the roots. Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the soil above the clematis root zone. Tie the stems to the support with garden twine when they are long enough to reach it.