I don't know but would be interested to hear what the experts say.

jeanne - are you out there?

maureen

Well, it can be done, but would not be my first choice of methods for propagation. Not all clems will lend themselves to this treatment - you will need an established plant that has several healthy stems emerging from the root crown. And you will of course need to dig up the entire plant to divide it - removing an established clematis vine can be a lot of work and it will inevitably put the vine at some risk. If the top growth has been cut back and the soil washed away from the root ball, you should be able to separate the stems, allowing for an equal amount of roots for each stem section. I doubt I'd attempt more than a single division from each plant. Ideal time for dividing is just as the plant is coming out of dormancy and pushing new growth.

Layering may take some time, but it is far easier and poses no risk to the mother plant.

I have never tried that...so I can't say...I was wondering when someone would address this posting..Layering is the easiest way to root clematis...Digging up and trying to divide would most probably not work..You must dig deep and wide to transplant an old clematis as their roots are humongous...I try not to disturb the roots no more than I hafta...Jeanne

Thank you so very much for the info - I'll try the layering and see how that goes. This is a clematis that has done very well for me so don't want to lose it.

Frances