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Wisteria plants are graceful vines grown for their dramatic and fragrant purple flowers. There are two species, Chinese and Japanese, and both lose their leaves in the winter. You won’t have to pay a dime to get another wisteria plant if you already have one and love it. Watch for plants that grow from the living root of your wisteria vine and then read up on how to move these plants. Read on for information about transplanting wisteria suckers.
Wisteria vines are absolutely gorgeous when in bloom. Their cascading purple and white flowers in spring are a sight to behold. However, wisteria vines can also be problematic. Their aggressive growth means they need a lot of room and can quickly take over their planting spot and surrounding areas. This often leads gardeners to realize a wisteria was planted too close to a home or other structure. The vine grows so rapidly it can cover a roof or damage siding in just a couple seasons. When this happens, the only options are constantly trimming it back or transplanting the wisteria to a new location.
Transplanting an overgrown wisteria is a difficult task, but it can be done with proper preparation and care Here is a step-by-step guide on how to successfully transplant a wisteria vine
When to Transplant Wisteria
The best time to transplant a wisteria is when it is dormant in late fall or early spring. This gives the vine time to establish roots before active growth starts up again. Transplanting in summer should be avoided, as the heat stresses the plant.
Transplanting in fall or spring when the wisteria is dormant also means you avoid removing any flower buds which would delay blooming in its new location.
Preparing to Transplant Wisteria
Transplanting an established wisteria takes a lot of preparation:
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Choose a sunny location with well-draining fertile soil for transplanting the wisteria. This gives it the best chance of thriving.
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Remove any flowers and prune back the wisteria’s branches to 2-3 feet tall. This reduces transplant stress.
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Water the plant regularly for 2-3 weeks before transplanting. Well-watered plants better withstand transplant shock.
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Prepare the new planting hole before digging up the wisteria. It should be loose soil and twice the width of the root ball.
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Dig a trench around the wisteria in a circle, starting 2 feet away from the trunk and going down at least 18-24 inches.
Removing the Root Ball
Digging out the root ball is the hardest part. Wisteria forms a dense mass of woody roots that tightly grip the ground. Use a shovel, pry bar, and garden fork to cut through roots and lift out the ball.
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Continue circling the plant, prying under the roots until the entire ball lifts out.
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Work the root ball onto a tarp, so you can drag it to the new location.
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The goal is to retain as much of the original root ball as possible. This will give the wisteria the best chance of survival.
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Expect to sever many roots in the process. Wisteria does not transplant easily, so some root loss is inevitable.
Transplanting the Wisteria
Now comes the most critical part – getting the wisteria established in its new home:
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Place the root ball into the prepared planting hole. The top should sit at the same level it was originally growing at.
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Backfill the hole with the prepared soil mix. Pack firmly to remove air pockets.
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Water deeply until the soil is fully saturated. Proper watering is vital for transplant success.
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Stake the wisteria firmly to provide support until new anchoring roots grow.
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Mulch around the base with 2-3 inches of bark or wood chips to retain moisture.
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Water the transplanted wisteria regularly so the soil stays evenly moist. Avoid allowing it to dry out completely.
Post-Transplant Care
Be prepared to pamper your wisteria after transplanting:
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Water whenever the top several inches of soil become dry. Young transplants need frequent irrigation.
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Fertilize monthly with a balanced 10-10-10 formula to encourage new growth.
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Check stakes and ties regularly and adjust as needed.
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Prune any dead branches or stems immediately to avoid disease.
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Monitor for signs of transplant shock like leaf wilt or drop.
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Avoid touching or disturbing the root zone unnecessarily.
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Mulch each spring to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
When Will Transplanted Wisteria Bloom?
Don’t be alarmed if your transplanted wisteria does not bloom for 2-3 years after moving it. Wisteria sets flower buds on old wood. When the vine is pruned back and the root system is reduced, it focuses energy on re-establishment rather than flowering. Once mature stems grow back, blooms should resume. Be patient, as it can take years. But with proper care, your transplanted wisteria will return to its former glory.
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Transplant when the vine is dormant in fall or early spring
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Dig a large root ball and move it quickly to the new site
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Plant at the same depth in prepared soil
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Stake, water, and mulch the wisteria for the first year
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Be diligent with aftercare to minimize transplant stress
Follow these tips carefully when moving a wisteria, and you stand a good chance of having it re-established in its new location. Just be aware that it may take several years before those beloved flowers return. But the wait is worth it for a beautiful, healthy wisteria vine that will thrive for decades to come.
Can You Plant Wisteria Suckers?
Plants propagate in different ways. Some, like the wisteria vines, send up offshoots called “suckers” from their underground roots. If you allow these suckers to grow, they form a close-knit hedgerow. Can you plant wisteria offshoots? Yes, you can. You can grow more wisteria plants from seeds or cuttings, or you can dig up suckers and use them as young plants that are ready to go to a new home. Moving wisteria shoots is not difficult if you know how and when to do it.
Suckers are not difficult to dig up and transplant. The best time to transplant your wisteria suckers is in late winter or early spring before bud break. Before you start removing a sucker, however, you should prepare the planting location. Pick a spot that gets at least six hours a day of sunlight. Dig out a hole for each sucker. The hole should be 2 feet (0. 5 m. ) across and 2 feet (0. 5 m. ) deep. Fill it with water and let it drain through. Then mix well-rotted compost into the soil. Pick a healthy sucker that is between one and two feet (0. 5 m. ) tall. Push your shovel into the area between the mother plant and the sucker. Sever the root holding the two together, then carefully pry out the sucker and its root ball. Gently remove any weeds that are on the sucker dirt. When moving wisteria suckers, make sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil by adding soil to the bottom of the planting hole. Then, place the root ball into the hole. It’s important to plant the wisteria shoot to the same depth as it was originally growing. Tuck the amended soil into the hole around the sucker. Pat it into place to eliminate air pockets. Then give the wisteria vine a generous drink of water. Keep the soil moist the first year after planting.
Spring Cleaning & Transplanting Growing Wisteria Tree And Bellissima Potentilla
FAQ
Can you dig up and replant wisteria?
How do you cut and replant wisteria?
How deep are the roots of wisteria?
Does wisteria like sun or shade?
How do you transplant Wisteria suckers?
Sever the root holding the two together, then carefully pry out the sucker and its root ball. Gently remove any weeds that are on the sucker dirt. When transplanting wisteria suckers, place the root ball into the planting hole, adding soil on the bottom of the hole to make sure that the top of the root ball is level with the soil.
When is the best time to transplant Wisteria?
The best time to transplant Wisteria is during its dormant period of late fall or early spring. If possible, early spring (between the end of March until early to mid-April) is best because your plant will benefit from the growing period and improved conditions after the shock of the move.
Can Wisteria be transplanted?
Transplanting wisteria is no walk in the garden, but it can be done. The downside of transplanting wisteria that is well established is that it may take several years for the vine to bloom again. The best time to transplant wisteria is in the late fall or early spring when the plant is dormant, but the soil is workable. Choose your site carefully.
How to plant Wisteria?
Plant your wisteria by inserting the root ball into the planting hole and make sure that the top of the soil is properly leveled with the soil. Keep in mind that wisteria must be planted at the same depth as before. Fill the entire hole with soil and firmly tamp it with your hands to get rid of air pockets. Do not forget to water.
How do you replant a wisteria?
Prepare the Wisteria by pruning any dead vines and cutting back the main vines to no more than two-thirds of the original length. (Ideally, you can do this in the fall before you transplant the Wisteria in the springtime, but if not, you can still trim it back just before relocating).
How do you care for a wisteria plant after transplantation?
Water regularly: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the first year after transplantation. Water deeply once a week or whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Fertilize sparingly: Avoid fertilizing your wisteria plant immediately after transplantation.