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Ask a Gardening QuestionGarden Design: Garden Design QuestionsMoving established plants

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Moving established plants

#1 · 2nd June 2025, 7:00 pm

Hi Ninjas, as many will know a garden is never finished!

I'm planning a redesign but the problem I have is a number of plants have been growing away happily since I got them 1-2 years ago. I want to move these to a better location (the 9cm pot Cardoon is already 7 foot after just a year and almost as wide!).

What's the best way to do deal with plants already in situ that you want to move - can I put them (hostas, ferns, penstemons, hellebores mostly) into temporary pots for a few weeks whilst I replan the layout/build the new borders?

Also, I assume it's best to move them in autumn?

Any help appreciated

Jim

#2 · 3rd June 2025, 10:04 am

Hi @tankboy74

Great question about moving established plants! You've guessed correctly that the best time to move any plants, whether that's herbaceous perennials or shrubs, is autumn. Moving plants is something I do regularly, especially if they are not thriving in their location or my garden needs a tweak!

The best time to lift and move herbaceous perennials is during their dormant period — either in autumn (September to November) or early spring (February to March). This avoids disrupting active growth and reduces stress on the plant.

How to move plants without killing them

Most people worry that lifting herbaceous perennials and shrubs will kill them, but this isn't the case if lifted as they go into their dormancy period.

Water the plant a day before moving to reduce stress and ease lifting.
Use a garden fork or spade to dig a wide circle around the plant, keeping as many roots intact as possible.
Lift the clump gently, preserving soil around the roots where possible.
Replant straight away into a prepared hole at the same depth, in improved soil.
Water thoroughly after planting and mulch to retain moisture.

If the plant is large or congested, you can divide it at the time of moving, replanting smaller, more vigorous sections. Regular aftercare, such as watering and monitoring the plants progress, will help the plant re-establish itself in its new spot. You probably wont see any growth but by next spring you will see it re-emerge!

If this has been helpful, Tankboy, I'm always grateful for a Google Review of my advice and services! You can leave one here if you don't mind.

https://g.page/gardenninja/review?gm

All the best

Lee Garden Ninja

#3 · 3rd June 2025, 5:53 pm

Thanks Lee - your advice is ALWAYS helpful and much appreciated - I have left a review.

Just a follow up question, if I wanted to put some of the established plants into temporary pots for a few days (its going to take a few days to move stuff around), is it ok to just pop them in multipurpose compost (perhaps with some of the garden soil mixed in)?

Jim

#4 · 5th June 2025, 9:15 am

Hi @tankboy74

Apologies, I totally forgot the temporary pots part of your question!

Yes, of course you can do this, though you may be surprised how big the pots will need to be once you lift up the herbaceous plants, as their root balls will be much bigger than when you first planted them. Sometimes, lifting and wrapping them in plastic bags, if only for a day or two, is easier before replanting them. Place them somewhere shady if possible and out of the sun to slow down their transpiration.

Hope that helps!

All the best

Lee Garden Ninja