How to Replant Griselinia

Root Pruning

• 1

  Call your local utility company to mark the location of all pipes and cables located near your shrub.

• 2

  Tie a piece of twine to a branch at the bottom of the shrub, then spiral it around the shrub several times until you reach the top to keep the branches out of your way while digging.

• 3

  Mark a circle around the shrub with sand, lime or lawn paint to indicate the outside diameter of the root ball.

• 4

  Dig a trench around the shrub on the outside of the marked circle. Make the trench as deep as recommend for the root ball size. Use a hand pruner or lopping shears to cut large roots. Do not dig underneath the root ball at this time.

• 5

  Remove large root pieces from the excavated soil, then replace the soil into the trench.

• 6

  Water the griselinia's root zone well to settle the soil and encourage the remaining roots to begin growth. Untie the branches.

• 7

  Prune back the top of the shrub by one-quarter to compensate for the reduced root capacity.

Moving and Replanting the Grisilinia

• 8

  Choose a planting site in full sun for G. littoralis but one in partial shade for G. lucida. Both shrubs need moist, well-drained soil.

• 9

  Test the soil pH in your chosen site. G. lucida needs neutral to highly alkaline soil, whereas G. littoralis tolerates a range of soil from slightly acidic to highly alkaline. If necessary, adjust the soil's pH. Your garden center or extension service will advise you on the necessary amendments.

• 10

  Dig a hole in the new location as deep as the griselinia's root ball and two to three times as wide.

• 11

  Tie a marker on a north-facing branch of the griselinia and also mark where the trunk meets the soil. Tie up the branches as you did when you root pruned the shrub.

• 12

  Mark the diameter of the root ball again if the original markings have faded. Remove the soil from the trench, making the trench wider this time for ease in digging underneath the shrub.

• 13

  Slide the shovel under the root ball at the recommended depth for your shrub's size. Use hand pruners or lopping shears on large roots.

• 14

  Slide a long piece of burlap underneath the root ball, tipping the shrub from side to side if necessary. Wrap the burlap tightly over the entire root ball and secure with twine. Alternatively, use a sturdy tarp to make a sling under the root ball.

• 15

  Lift the shrub out of the hole with the help of at least one other person. Move the shrub to its new location and lower it into place. Realign the shrub so it sits at the same level as it was growing before and the marked branch faces north.

• 16

  Backfill around the root ball. Natural burlap and twine will decompose and can be left on the root ball; fold them down so they're entirely covered by soil. Plasticized burlap and twine or a tarp must be completely removed.

• 17

  Water the griselinia well and spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch over the root zone to conserve water.