Transplant Lavender from ground to pot

I’ve got a large lavender plant in a funny location in the front garden (we recently moved here).

I’ve also got a large pot out the front which, until a couple of days ago, was home to a recently bought clematis which has pretty much died a death (we had a battering with the weather this last week, so I think a combination of it being a young, fragile plant facing strong gales and water logging from torrential rain was just too much for it).

I’m thinking of moving the lavender into the pot to replace the dead clematis. So, digging it up from the ground and potting it. Would I be right in assuming winter would be the best time to do this, when the lavender has wound down for the year? Any tips on how much clearance to dig around the plant when excavating? Any pointers welcome.

 

Personally I dont think they move well if established.

 

If you're happy to take the chance then you could give it a go. Just make sure the lavender doesn't get waterlogged as well, they like really good drainage
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Edited to add, if you can I would dig out at least 8 to 9 inches around the plant, more if you can. I would trim the old flowers off just to tidy it up (but don't cut into the old wood) before starting to dig.

 

Are you sure that the clematis is dead? I had one in a pot which died right back to the compost earlier this year but has sprouted to about 18 inches again now. They can sprout from below ground - I would give it a few months at least!

 

I’d leave the lavender in the ground, provided it’s in a sunny site in well draining soil. They prefer impoverished soil, too many nutrients can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowering. They also require more attention in pots. Perhaps move your pot into a sunny, sheltered spot to see if the Clematis revives as @katecat58 has suggested.

 

Thanks! And yes I intend to improve the drainage further - there’s grit mixed in the pot already but I would add more.

Thisnhas crossed my mind. I think it’s just the sudden dieback which makes me think it’s knackered… literally brown within two days. Wondering if it’s clematis wilt. But I could leave it until the spring and see. There’s no rush

There’s a load of lavender in the back garden too, and this one’s in an odd spot out the front, so maybe if the clematis doesn’t come back in the spring I’ll still give the lavender a go - if it doesn’t work, it’s not a great loss as it’s likely be going at some point anyway.

I must say, I’ve not been on this forum long, but the wealth of info when I’ve had questions has been fantastic thanks all!

 

Thank you!

 

I wouldn't write off the clematis yet. If it's just the top growth that's damaged it should grow back, particularly if you followed the usual recommendations and planted it deep so there are some growth buds below soil level (so that it regrowth is possible if it gets clematis wilt), but maybe not until spring.

 

Thank you for this. Enough people now have said this very thing, straight off the bat, that I’ll give it a chance.

 

I'm going to agree re the clematis too @JWest . They also don't appreciate waterlogging, so it's worth taking it out and checking that the drainage holes aren't blocked, and then replanting, ensuring the soil mix is decent - ie isn't soggy and heavy.
I'd be wary of planting too deep. This is always touted for clems, but it's only suitable for the larger flowered ones. You would need to be sure of what type it is. The early ones, for example, really don't like being deeper, and they also don't like wetter conditions, so you have to be even more careful about the site and conditions for them. If it's a young plant, it would benefit from being re potted, and tucked in somewhere so that it doesn't get the roughest of your weather, regardless of type.
Also, when you say you're on 'the coast', that can be misleading - there are massive variations of coastlines around the UK.
If you've only bought it recently, it's probably just struggling with your site - especially at this time of year. Much easier to acclimatise them in spring or summer. Many clems are grown undercover, and are then often kept undercover when sent out to retailers too. The seller you got it from is also a factor as to the age of it. If it was a reliable one, the plant would be at least 2 years old, but that's still young in clematis terms.

 

Depends how close to the sea you are? Wind and salt in the air can also damage plants.

 

A few streets’ in from the shore, somewhat elevated. I’m more the southern end of the UK, offshore would be south-south-west sort of direction. My previous house was literally across the street from the beach, and fragile plants had no chance there. So I consider this new place quite sheltered in comparison, although I guess it’s still quite windswept compared to some places.

Thanks for this. It was only cheap from B&Q. I actually got two different ones and planted in two separate pots then put them in the same location. The one in the smaller pot is a smaller type, while the larger pot holds the larger type. Both are in the same sorry state, which makes me think it’s the weather/exposure more than anything. I’m going to move the small one round the back of the house to where it’s more sheltered. The larger one will stay in situ and I’ll see what happens with it in the spring I think.

 

How big are the pots you put them in @JWest ? It isn't ideal to over pot them at this time of year, especially if they're going into a more exposed site. Better to grow them on in a slightly bigger pot than they're in, and wait until they're growing on well next year to give them something bigger.
It would have been fine if you'd got them in, say- June or July, and had put them in a larger pot, as they'd be in good conditions to thrive over summer, but it's safer to grow them on over winter in a sheltered site, and let them get a bit more established before planting out or going in bigger pots.
If you have the labels, and can therefore tell us what they are, that's helpful for advice. Some varieties are much easier than others too