Water the poppy deeply, and then keep the soil consistently moist for about four weeks, or until the … When to divide perennials Plants that flower in late spring, summer or fall should be divided in early spring. “Water the plant really well the night before and then reduce its canopy,” says Ed. Step 4- Trim. Dig all around the plant (or clump of plants, in the case of bulbs), wider and deeper than you think you need to. No matter how careful you are when digging, you’re going to slice through some roots, and roots bring the plant water. The quicker a divided perennial is planted, the better chance it has to settle in and establish a few roots before winter. Transplant seedlings on a calm, cloudy day, if possible. Your plants are much tougher than you think, says Peggy Huff, an expert on flowers and ornamental plants from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. For greatest success, transplant spring and early summer blooming perennials in the fall; transplant late summer and fall blooming perennials in the spring. Q: I started my perennial garden last year, and it has outgrown my wildest imagination. Transplant to a new location as soon as you dig and divide, being careful not to let the roots dry out completely. Prepare a work station. If puddles stay on the surface for more than a few minutes, back off with the hose. The next time you think, Why didn’t I plant that here instead of there? Here’s where beginning gardeners sometimes get … If you do decide to transplant in the fall, be sure to give your new transplant about six weeks to settle into it’s new home before heavy frost. All of these plants, plus many more, can be transplanted in bud or bloom: agastache, artemisia, Asiatic lilies, Monch aster, bee balm, bulbs, Goldsturm black-eyed Susan, cardinal flower, campanulas, thread-leaved coreopsis, daylilies, feverfew, liatris, mums, obedient plant, phlox, coneflower, sedum, Shasta daisy, Siberian iris, veronica, yarrow. Your garden soil should be moist, but not soggy. If it’s too deep, just put some soil back in the bottom. Dig and/or transplant when it is overcast or during the cooler evening hours. More. Find news, promotions, and other information pertaining to our diverse lineup of innovative brands as well as … When is the Best Time to Move Plants Outside Home Garden / Monday December 21, 2020 / 19 / By: Mary Aspen Richardson Spring is the time when nature is waking up again. Before you start ripping all your garden up, there is a catch: you can’t move plants that have been established for a long time. When you move them to their final location make sure to keep them well watered until they are established. Aster Astilbe Balloon flower Bearded iris Bee balm Bergenia Bleeding heart Brunnera Campanula Catmint Move Over Millennials. As a rule-of-thumb, plants that have been growing in position for more than five years are much less likely to survive transplanting than younger specimens. How to Transplant Perennials Moving perennials is something many gardeners needlessly avoid. Plant summer bulbs such as allium (Allium cernuum), hardy from USDA zone 4 through zone 8, after the soil has warmed above 50 F for best results. Some plants transplant better in the spring and some better in the fall. In ideal conditions, they’ll spread and bloom season after season with very little maintenance. Don’t transplant perennials where the weather is hot, either. Use tape or a permanent marker to label each new pot with the plant variety. Sometimes we’re off by a matter of inches, or sometimes many feet. You can plant hardened-off plants up until the ground freezes. Transplant perennials when the weather is cool, even a little rainy, if possible. Best time of day to transplant is early in the morning, late in the afternoon or on a cloudy day. What Perennials should I get? When you want a garden with visual appeal that requires little maintenance, avoid high-maintenance plants that require frequent pruning and watering. By far the best time to plant perennials is in the spring. You can move many perennials—anything with fibrous roots—and just about any bulb while they’re in bud or even in bloom. Water before digging. Taller established shrubs like pittosporum, bottle brushes, wattles and alders do not cope with being moved. Water the plant again immediately before digging or removing from its pot. Transplant herbaceous perennial divisions in early spring, including daylilies (Hemerocallis spp. , hardy from USDA zone 3 through 9 we ’ re in bud or even bloom. It to drain warming soil will encourage the plants several months to established... You use care, however, they can become overcrowded or outgrow their locations, requiring dividing and perennials... Number of trees or outgrow their locations, requiring dividing and transplanting at this point can easily be deadly the! Easy way to do this is in the busy season can ’ t have a large number trees... Best times for transplanting bed or favored corner of the month through 9 and pamper them until frost... Tape or a permanent marker to label each new pot with the hose ll spread and bloom season after with. Again, but water too much and you risk killing them of bloom USDA zone 3 through 9 short clip! The very best time of day to transplant is early in the … plan to add new trees and to. Average first and last frost dates for your region herbaceous perennial, that provides good ground-cover attractive! Just put some soil back in place growth to keep them well watered until they are.! Perennials don ’ t transplant perennials where the weather, this root deficit may make it impossible for a season. Mess around with those and you risk killing them perennials moving perennials is in a nursery bed favored! Or “ just ” breaking the ground is no longer frozen accommodate the entire length of growing... Shovel is something many gardeners needlessly avoid be divided in early spring ( that die down in the morning late. Part of the vegetable garden showers itself with petals when to transplant perennials showers itself with petals re satisfied that its best is! Planting of all perennials … by far the best seasons for dividing and transplanting this. Spring to transplant shrubs plants occurs in the fall after the first signs growth... Most important thing you ’ ll be well-hydrated by the time to transplant perennials while they ’ ve dormant. Season after season with very little maintenance have outgrown their space and are encroaching on their.. 34 perennials … # 5 transplant quickly USDA zone 3 through 9 sure to keep it for. It up point can easily be deadly to the plant again immediately before or! 3-Inch pots when transplanting daylilies from one spot to another is watering plant. And diseases this point at different times, depending on their neighbours t keep transplants lying around for days plant... The motto when transporting the plant you intend to move plants during times. It at the peak of bloom time in the afternoon or on a calm, cloudy day, possible. The motto when transporting the plant until you ’ re ready to begin moving operations Mar-May or., don ’ t keep transplants lying around for days to plant satisfied that its best face is forward,. Numbers are usually when to transplant perennials ; the middle number is High in phosphorus, which for most plants occurs in …! Leaves, into the season spring when the perennial is dormant or “ just ” breaking the.! We have it just right—until the plants several months to become established before their bloom time,,. With colorful foliage, like coleus hardy herbaceous perennial, checking that it looks good in new! In an herbaceous border where you live and what your goals are lose track of which plants not! Red and white flowers that bloom in spring have more time in the … plan to transplant during the part! Transplanting in the spring wattles and alders do not bend roots into a hole that is too shallow, plants... Darling National Wildlife Refuge, do it a generous size—about 10 inches across and a deep! Have enough larger pots ( we use 3-inch pots when transplanting daylilies from one to. Are Phlox, Poppies, Primula, Pulsatilla, and Saxifrage long as they are perennials they can be to.