Expert: Gary Bachman - 6/28/2004

Question
My mother-in-law both have clematis.Mine is deep purple,hers is dark pink. WE would like to share our plants,without killing the plants we already have .Do you know how to go about this without killing our original plants?

Answer
Penny,

Sharing plants is one of the most wonderful things you can do.  I have a butterfly bush I originally propagated in SC in 1989, took a cutting to my mom in TN in 1990, and now I have a cutting from that plant in IL.  It is the connection to that original plant that I cherish.

You have a couple of choices for your clematis.  First you could wait and collect seeds.  Plant the seeds in small pots, place in a ziplock bag and put in the 'fridge for 2-4 weeks, and then place outside to germinate.  

Second, and I think this method is more fun, is to root terminal cuttings.  Take a small pot and place light weight potting media with peat moss in the potand water well.  Cut a 3" stemcutting, dip the cut end in rooting hormone (available at your local garden supply), and push the cut end into the pot about 1".  Make a small greenhouse by taking a clear plastic bag place over the top of the pot.  This will keep the humidity high around your cutting.  Place in indirect light.  After about 3 weeks gently pull the cutting out and you should see roots starting to form.  If not, place back into the "greenhouse" for two more weeks.

Good luck,

Gary