The shrub dilemma
Sometimes you have to move a plant at the worst time of the year, writes David Overend.
Spring is a great time to make any major moves in the garden, particularly shifting shrubs and evergreens. But sometimes things can’t wait and the task of moving shrubs may have to be undertaken at the worst time of the year. We all make mistakes, and one of the most common is planting a tree or shrub and then discovering, several years later, that it’s in the wrong place. And occasionally a containerised shrub has to be shifted because it has been allowed to run out of nutrients or it has clearly run out of space for its roots.
If you don’t have a pot big enough to accommodate said shrub needs must, and as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged, it is worth the risk.
Start by digging the hole for its new home. It should be bigger and slightly deeper than necessary, to give the plant plenty of room to spread its roots. Incorporate well-rotted manure or garden compost.
Once the shrub has been transported to its new home, position it so that it will be at the same depth in the soil as it was in its previous hole.
Then start to fill in with soil, packing it down between the roots. You may need to water – it depends on how wet/dry the soil is.
If the plant’s new home is in a windy spot, protect it with a windbreak until it establishes itself.
A couple of hefty stones, placed over the newly-filled-in hole, should stop the shrub from rocking or leaning until it has grown new roots and can stand up for itself. With a more upright specimen, add a support.
A thick mulch of well-rotted organic material or shredded bark makes a perfect finish.