Bob,

I think they are best transplanted in spring. Enjoy them this year as they are (although it doesn't sound like you're enjoyting them much where they are). They are usually fairly shallow rooted so digging shouldn't be a huge chore. Remember they want their feet in the shade and head in the sun.

I think I would prune them back to 4 to 6 inches high just before you're ready to transplant them in spring. If you prune them now I think it'll encourage new growth that will get winter zapped. You don't want to weaken the plant before transplant. Just my 2 cents worth.

Barb

Thank you Barb!

Hi Bob,

Ditto Barb's 2 cents, and I'm gonna add 1 cent with an alternate planting time! If you don't want to wait all the way until spring, I believe you could successfully move them this fall if you wait till it's clearly cooling way down and the vines have pretty much stopped growing for this year. Can't give you any idea when that might be, cuz, well, uh, this is Colorado! Then what Barb says! Cut 'em way down, move them, water them in well--and wait for spring! If it's a dry winter, check every now and then to see if they need a soaking over winter. Don't cut them down now because they'll just start to regrow and need to be cut down again, and that would be a double whammy for them. And, as Barb said, the roots like to stay cool, so the heavy mulch you talk about is a really good idea, or some people choose to plant low, "bushy" things around the base of Clematis to shade the soil.

When they get going again we'll be looking for some pics of your successful move!

Skybird

A word of caution - the root mass can be enormous