The Best Time to Transplant Flowering Shrubs

Spring

• Spring transplanting is best for shrubs with woody stems. Wait until the ground thaws, but move the shrubs before the buds began swelling. With cooler temperatures and more rain, the transplanted shrub has less stress.

Fall

• Fall provides similar conditions to spring in that temperatures are cooler and more rain is available to keep soil moist. An additional benefit to fall transplanting is that soil temperatures are still warm, which encourages root growth and establishment before winter dormancy. Blooming is over, and the shrub can be pruned before transplanting for ease in moving, or after transplant to allow the shrub to focus on root development.

Before Blooming

• Knowing when your plant blooms determines the optimal planting time for planting. Spring-blooming shrubs, such as azaleas, forsythias and rhododendrons, cannot be planted before the threat of frost subsides. Planting these in the fall allows them to establish roots before the onset of winter. Blooming may be minimal the first year, but should occur later. Shrubs that flower in the summer, such as hydrangea, spirea or honeysuckle, can thrive and still bloom if planted in the spring. If the plant is blooming at the time of transplant, it is expending energy on growth. A sudden shock to the plant during this period easily kills the shrub.

Optimal Conditions

• Even if the season is right for transplanting a desired shrub, other factors ensure the success of the transplant. If the spring is unusually cold or the fall is unusually hot, waiting may be necessary. Transplant the shrub into properly prepared loose soil. A mixture of compost, peat and sand is recommended. Choosing a well-draining area ensures the shrub will not sit it standing water and suffer root rot. If the shrub requires full sun, planting it around shady trees limits its chances at success in the new location.