Lurker with a question about planting/ripping out plants

bethCT

I generally only lurk here but I am hoping you can help me, thanks!

OK, here is the situation. Right in front of our breezeway there is a plant area with a trellis going up the wall. Deep purple clematis grows up it. In front of it is a huge black eyes susan plant. The sellers wanted to take the trellis with them but since the clematis was in full bloom they left it. I like the clematis but it is kind of dark for a shaded breezeway.
So I am thinking of ripping out the clematis and planting some sweet smelling, pretty, pretty wisteria.
In the fall I used out mini chain saw (fun!!) to cut down all the clematis branches, pruning I guess? But now I want to dig it out. But here is the thing. I want to keep the black eyed susan. How do I know what roots bec=long to what plant? Any tips here?

Here is a picture of the area if it helps - you can see the trellis and the aera where the Black Eyes susan will (hopefully) rebloom. The branches are (I assume) buried under the leaves...





Thanks so much!
Beth

Dr.Loretta

I'd wait until things start sprouting, then rip from there.

VanessaOSU

I agree, once you have sprouts you will know what belongs to what.

another KT

I would wait for some sprouting.  But after that you probably won't have a problem distinguishing the roots; the clematis roots are more fleshy and don't spread like the black eyed susan roots.