We are getting to start an addition on our home in a few weeks that is going to disrupt/destroy every shrub and tree and 90% of my perennials in our backyard. I have put my heart and soul into my garden over the last six years and am sick about the necessary destruction. I'm going to transplant as much as I can in the small area of the yard that will be uninterrupted and hope for the best, but I don't know what to do with my lilacs and roses. I have two fully mature lilacs, two mature rose bushes and three young (approx. 30")lilacs. Firstly, can I pot the three young lilacs for the summer and transplant them in the fall after construction? Also, are there any perennials you would recommend not potting in case I run out of room in my "construction alotted" space. Lastly, is there anything I can do myself to try and save the mature lilacs and roses even if I need to cut them to the ground? ssnow
How big are the roses? Most roses should be able to withstand transplantation. You need to dig it up with as big a root ball as you can manage. Reduce the foliage by pruning back. But make sure you leave enough of healthy canes with good buds and enough of foliage for ongoing photosynthesis. Keep well watered until it has had a chance to re-establish itself. If you are going to put them into containers, use the largest container feasible. Use a soil less potting media, etc. Sunshine #4. Adding water absorbent polymer crystals may help.
It's a bad time of year to be transplanting the lilacs, but if you have no choice, then do pot them in a mix with a lot of grit in it for fast drainage, and no peat if you can, then put them in light shade (rig something in your space if necessary) and keep well watered. Be sure the pots have big drainage holes covered by plastic needlework mesh but no bottom layer of gravel or shards. Take as large a rootball as possible.
Hi Sue, Been there, done that!! I feel your pain. I dug out 500 plants and potted them up. I nestled all the pots together for the spring, summer and fall under one tree. It helped keep them moist. In the fall I had a family emergency and couldn't plant them. In November a friend helped me move all the pots. I placed the pots on top of the soil and covered all the pots in the back yard with old sheets and blankets. In January the soil was frozen solid, but as I took off the sheets the soil wasn't frozen under it. I was planting under the sheets for a couple of weeks, sinking the pots into the soil. The following spring I pulled the pots and planted. I only lost 10 plants. Dig up as much as you can. Wish I could send you some of these pots. I have them all as I just couldn't put them in a landfill! Here's sites on how to transplant a mature rose and shrubs as well. Also how to b&b (ball and burlap) the roots. Keep them covered with mulch in a shady place. It's amazing how many potted plants you can put in a small space if they're shoulder to shoulder. http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/rosesind/2000025036018430.html http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/trees/f1147w.htm http://www.albertarose.org/women/gardening/ball_and_burlap.htm http://www.freeplants.com/how_to_ball_and_burlap_dig_plant.htm http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/lppi/htm/sp369.htm Protect trees during construction. http://www.treehelp.com/howto/howto-prevent-construction-damage.asp http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/DK6135.html If you need the pots, let me know. Good luck! Newt
