Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - June 10, 2010
From: Beaverton , MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Propagation, Transplants
Title: Transplanting a Dutchman's pipe in Beaverton MI
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
When can I transplant a full grown dutchmans pipe plant? It is growing along side of the house and it needs a bigger place to grow. This is June and the plant is in full bloom full of pipes, but needs to be moved. Thank youANSWER:
There are 8 members of the genus Aristolochia, pipevine, native to North America. Two, Aristolochia macrophylla (pipevine) and Aristolochia serpentaria (Virginia snakeroot) are native to Michigan. The Virginia snakeroot seems to be the one you most likely have; the others in the genus in our Native Plant Database all are based farther south, in California and the southeast.
We found a Michigan State University Extension website on Aristolochia serpentaria, which gave us a lot of information about the culture and locations of this plant, but neither this site nor any other we looked at on all the pipevines told us anything about transplanting it. We did find some generic instructions on transplanting vines, which we will pass on to you:
Transplant the vines in early spring before much growth occurs. First, to make transplanting more manageable, cut the vines back so only several feet of topgrowth remain. It can usually be cut back to the ground, but we suggest leaving some of the vine in place so you can see which shoots have survived. Dig the roots out carefully. Try to dig a ball large enough to hold together so you maintain soil contact with the roots. Take great care not to break the woody stem where it joins the roots. Sometimes the vine will still come up from the roots, but you have a better chance of success if you don't break the shoot. Cut out any dead material after the vines have resumed growth. Although the plants may look fine, take special care of them throughout the growing season. The plant is trying to reestablish the balance of roots to shoots and needs regular water.
You said this plant needs to be moved. As in, NOW? In that case, pretend this is early Spring, which it isn't, even in Michigan, and follow the instructions. You will probably lose the blossoms and the seeds for this year, but hopefully not the roots.
Pictures of Aristolochia macrophylla from Google
Pictures of Aristolochia serpentaria from Google
From our Native Plant Image Gallery:
More Transplants Questions
Coreopsis failing to bloom in Sonora CA
August 04, 2009 - My Coreopsis buds form and then die. Very few open. The plants are two and three years old, in a clay type soil. Is it possible they're getting too much water, and that is whats making the buds die ...
view the full question and answer
Tall Evergreens for Pennsylvania
January 06, 2011 - I want to plant tall evergreen trees that grow really tall in deep shade or that I can plant already fairly large and withstand the shock of planting in a mature state and live in deep shade. I thank ...
view the full question and answer
Leaves falling off recently transplanted mature Mountain Laurel
July 05, 2006 - I have recently purchased a Mountain Laurel for my backyard landscaping. It is a fully matured ML standing over 9 feet tall by 6 feet wide. Since it was planted (about 6 weeks ago) it has been losin...
view the full question and answer
Soaptree yucca falling over in Mesa AZ
July 24, 2013 - My soaptree yucca is about 5 ft tall and has fallen over. Does this plant require staking for I thought not, or is something else going on with it?
view the full question and answer
Will a Texas Mountain Laurel thrive in a 4'x4'x4' brick planter. pl
September 14, 2015 - Would a Texas Mountain Laurel thrive in a 4'x4'x4'x4' brick planter with a drain at the bottom? It will get full sun all day. If not, would a Green Cloud Sage or a Waxleaf Myrtle work? Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |