Transplanting Hydrangeas-(basic shrub transplanting method)

Please Note: This method can be done with most shrub transplanting

     I spent the day transplanting Big Leaf Hydrangeas today at the home of Eric "Bossy Man" Dengler.  It was quite a different day because Eric wasn't acting boss man on this job.  Its really is not a hard job transplanting shrubs once you get a system going and you have help.
     These plants which I was working with had to be at least 10 years old and well established.  There were numerous off shoots at the base which is a free gift from Mother Nature and for me as well to take to my garden.  The offshoots come loose pretty easily once you free up the whole plant from the ground.

     Start digging around existing plant to where you want to create an easy way of freeing up plant.  Side roots are not usually a problem.  Its the tap roots which tend to grow straight down and make it difficult to free up. Just jam shovel in bottom of exposed root system and lift up.  If you can, take shears or loppers and cut exposed root. Its easier with two people, Eric's Brother Wes was around to lend a hand.  By then its free to be moved to new spot. A hand truck or dolly with wheels is a big help.  I recommend after gauging how big the root ball is, dig the hole a little bigger than the root ball where the plant is to be transplanted. 

 

The top and bottom picture give you an idea to what spacing is proper for a healthy transplant.  

Next step which I do is that if the soil isn't all that great, is to mix in bagged topsoil with the back fill.  I add in a few handfuls of fertilizer, I like organic fertilizer like Plant Tone.  If you like your Hydrangea to be blue, also add into the back fill some Soil Acidifier or aluminum sulfate. After all that start filling in soil around plant with either a shovel or your hands. You should have a nice level area around plant, making sure soil line is a least level with ground or slightly below plant. Watering the plant is the next step.  

I like to add mulch before watering new plantings to prevent soil from washing away due to the amount of water you will be using.  

*Please take note "Not a Fan of Red Mulch" but its what they like in their garden.  

I soak it for a good few minutes to make sure all areas under plant receive soil washed down with the water. You basically want to get rid of all air pockets in root system.

Continually water new planting every other day for at least a week.

Above and below are the finished product with some perennials mixed in as well.  A total of Five Hydrangeas were moved and I feel it will make a nice new look to the front yard.  I am sure Marcie, being Eric's wife, will enjoy the new look.

 Please see post on pruning with further questions relating to that matter. 

would also like to thank Eric and Marcie for allowing me to take a bunch of new hydrangea plants home. 

Well worth the work.