Hello everyone!
I just moved into my first home 3 weeks ago and have turned my attention to the gardens. I was fortunate enough to inherit a very well established garden, but it really needs some editing and reorganization. My favourite flowering plants in the front are 2 hydrangeas and 2 small rose bushes. I have read that it's best to move these plants in the fall, but what would happen if I tried to carefully move them now? They are quite small (approximately 2.5 feet tall) and would certainly get more light and room if moved out of the overgrown part of my yard. I don't mind losing a few flowers in the short term, but I certainly don't want to kill anything permanently.
Also, is there a rule of thumb for how small a shrub should be for transplanting? I plan on moving some this fall, but I'm not sure how big is too big.
Any advice out there for a novice gardener?
Thanks so much for your help and wisdom!
Tamara
Comment Guidelines
We welcome your feedback on Houseandhome.com. H&H reserves the right to remove any unsuitable personal remarks made about the bloggers, hosts, homeowners and/or guests we feature. Please keep your comments focused on decorating, design, cooking and other lifestyle topics. Adopt a tone you would be willing to use in person and do not make slanderous remarks or use denigrating language. If you see a comment that you believe violates any of the guidelines outlined above, please click “Alert a Moderator.” Thank you.
You will need to move a lot of dirt for all the plants, they will surly die if you dont. Make sure and use a rooting furtilizer and nothing with much nitrogen. Also make sure they have enough water at all times, it would be better if you wait till early fall, but I would give them a 1 in 2 chance after they stop blooming right now. Also dont use any insect killer or fungicide for two weeks after or before transplant - something I always recomend. Good luck -David
is usually to take lots of the existing root ball with the plant, as much as you can, at any rate (this speaks to your size limit question, bichon) and to water, water, water, once they are in their new home. I have moved lots of things any old time and been successful. Generally speaking, though, newbiegirl is right - you should wait until after they have finished flowering.
For hydrangeas this could be fairly late, though, so I would say to move your hydrangea some time at the beginning of September - that way, the most of the flowers will have finished, and the hot hot weather will be gone, but you will still have enough time for them to become established before winter sets in. Make sure you dig a big enough hole to accommodate the roots, and put some compost and a little bone meal into the hole. Often it is a good idea to also wet the inside of the hole. Set the plant into the hole, fill in with earth and firm down around the roots, not too hard, but enough so the soil is firm and will hold the plant upright - packing with your hands should be enough. You can leave a dip here, or alternatively, build up a ring of soil around the outside, to create a well that will hold water when you water them. Keep them moist for the first few weeks, but not wet. This is when their roots can solidify into the hole. You might also add a little 10-52-10 or something like that to your watering water, just to stimulate root growth, but be carfeul not to overfertilize becasue they have to be getting ready to *sleep*. Mulching their roots would be a good idea too, more for moisture retention than anything else. And don't forget to not put the mulch right up against the stems, or it could rot the stems.
For your roses, same applies - when they have finished flowering. Be careful with the knobbly bit on the stem and don't plant it too deep. Having said that, you will want to pile soil or compost around this to keep their feet warm for the winter -- do this very late in the fall.
Good luck!
I would not move it until the fall but not too late so roots can get established before winter. You can call a nursery and ask more info as well. I wouls also mulch up with leaves or similar for winter protection.
I am a novice gardener as well but in my opinion it would be too risky to move either the hydrangea or the rose bush at this time. The hydrangea are just in full bloom here now as I imagine yours are too. I would wait until the fall.