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When to move plants including calendar for trees and shrubs

January 13, 2013 By Jim 10 Comments

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As I look out of the window of my office this morning, I see a light dusting of snow we received last night.  While a pleasant enough scene, it also made me think of my topic for today’s post, “when to move plants“.  You see instead of just enjoying the scene I was thinking:

“Hmm, I really should move those purple cone flowers as that spot is really getting too shaded by my neighbor’s trees.  Well, if I am going to do that, then I might as well move one of my Dwarf Burning bush in that spot as that would provide a nice splash of red in an area that is mostly yellow and oranges in the fall.”

Luckily the ground is frozen and I can just keep sitting here in my underwear writing this blog instead.  Sorry if that visualization gives you nausea or nightmares tonight.

When to move plants – Perennials

Well if I can’t do it now, when should I?  The timing to move perennials is pretty easy.  Perennials that bloom in the spring – bearded iris, peonies, bleeding heart and others – should be moved in late summer or fall.  Late summer and fall bloomers like coneflowers, rudbeckia, asters and sedum should be moved in early spring.  Great, the coneflowers are getting moved in early spring.  That means April to early May around here.

When to move plants – Trees and shrubs

How about the Burning bush?  I know based on experience that anytime besides the peak of summer or right before, should be good.

Maybe you are thinking something similar. But instead of a purple coneflower and a Burning bush, your plants are Daphne and a small Serviceberry.  You think, “OK, Jim moved his plants in spring, so I’ll move mine in spring too.”  April comes and goes; you didn’t quite get to it as it was really warm and a great chance to work on your golf shot.  It’s May and you finally decide now is the time to move your plants to their perfect spot.  Guess, what happens in August?  They are both dead.

What happened?  Well different plants can be moved at different times.  Some like junipers or arborvitaes are pretty safe to move anytime, while others like birches, pears, and redbuds have very short windows when they can be dug up and moved.  These plants are stressed severely when their roots are chopped off at the wrong time.

When to move plants in your area

So, how do you know when to move plants in your yard?  If you are near me in climate Zone 5 (right at the 5a and5b border), you can use the following chart.  If you are a bit warmer or cooler, you might want to adjust a bit.  Say you are in Lexington, KY which is zone 6b.  In this case you would want to move your spring up a month and move your birch tree in March instead of April. This chart is from my own and local nursery’s experiences and you should check with your local Botanic garden or Arboretum for their advice, if you are moving real important trees and shrubs.

When to move plants including trees and shrubsFor info on How to transplant trees and shrubs click on this link from Clemson University.

By Jim Anderson

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Filed Under: Evergreen, Gardening, Perennials and bulbs Tagged With: transplanting, when to move plants

Comments

  1. Sus says

    February 24, 2018 at 8:53 am

    Hi, I want to move my serviceberry to a new location. I notice that you prefer April over March. I was thinking the earlier the better, like now (end of February). What’s the reasoning behind April vs. March. I want to give it the best chance for survival. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jim says

      February 24, 2018 at 4:57 pm

      Is its based on nursery history in northern Illinois with digging and transplanting trees and the plants survibility. Climate change could be impacting, but your locaton relative to Northern Illinois may matter more. If you are in a warmer climate, March may be a better choice.

      Reply
  2. Lisa says

    May 23, 2016 at 8:31 pm

    I need help! I have a fence in my backyard with a concrete pad with a picnic table and to the right is the second brown fence panel (8 by 6). There are 7 panels in a row. I have only three orange daylillies in front of the second fence panel and that’s it. I would like to plant other things there but have no idea what. I thought about one
    blue green evergreen that is not deciduous. Other
    companion plants im not sure
    about. Its full sun. Morning/
    afternoon sun until 2:00. Any
    suggestion would be great. I live in central illinois.

    Reply
  3. Nusha says

    May 9, 2016 at 11:15 am

    Jim,
    Thank you so much for the reply. If they agree to wait when is the good time to move this tree?
    Thank you

    Reply
  4. margie says

    May 7, 2016 at 10:24 pm

    We are moving this summer and the house has been vacant for about 7 years. Over the last couple of weeks, we have been going to clean up the overgrown and uncared for lawn and landscaping. I have cut down so much, but would like to transfer a few of the bushes from one spot to another in the yard, including hosta. Is there any way to save these plants as I get ready to tear them out?! We live in IL/IA (right on the border).

    Reply
    • Jim says

      May 8, 2016 at 9:03 am

      Water them well a day before digging, keep them cool and replant as quickly as you can.

      Reply
  5. Nusha says

    May 4, 2016 at 3:37 pm

    Hello! We are in NW Sub of Chicago Zone 4, our friend needs to get rid of her willow cherry tree. They are buying this house on the 20th of May, and their dog has many health issues and unfortunately she needs this tree to be gone. Is it ok for us to dig it out and transporte to my garden or will it dye?

    Reply
    • Jim says

      May 4, 2016 at 8:37 pm

      If you get enough roots it should be alright. It might die, but you might as well give it a try.

      Reply
  6. pat harmon says

    March 31, 2015 at 5:11 pm

    I’m trying to put landscape around my house I have already started but I need to fill in some spots to fill in. On the north side it’s shaped like can L it gets about three hrs. Of Sun in morning then about two in evening. The front gets morning Sun except a corner of it the south side gets the most Sun it had a lilac tree and a rose of Sharon and a Busch of honeysuckle the front has some brown eyed duties and a couple of other flower the north side has only a Japanese tea. I hope this helps and I hope you can put in some input. I live in the northeast corner of Alabama thank you

    Reply
    • Jim says

      April 1, 2015 at 5:43 am

      One plant that may work for you would be Oakleaf hydrangea. You could mass a group of them along the house. They would provide some nice season long interest. See my lost on them here: http://www.yourgardensanctuary.com/oakleaf-hydrangea/

      Dwarf Fothergilla is another shrub you should look into for three season interest

      Reply

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