I live in zone 8, a far cry from your zone but this is what I have done in the past with some plants. Take a division of the perennials you want to take with you, plant in pots (1 gallon pots are the smallest I've used for this) and then sink the pots in the ground, when you move just lift the pots and take them with you. If there is a concern about drainage you could cut the bottom of the pot off, sink this into the ground, then plant your division in it. When it's time to move just lift and place the whole thing pot and all into one that has a bottom. If you are moving to a place where the ground will be frozen put your pots close together and pile some mulch over them until you can get them into the ground. Hope this is of some help, I'm sure others here will give you more suggestions.

A......

I can empathsize with your situation. I took some of my plants with me when I moved 14 years ago. I think I have only 1 of them still. It's not that they died, it's that I gave them away. Over time, I decided that I wanted something different. I would suggest that you not take anything (unless it was a very expensive, special plant), but instead look at your new garden as a new opportunity. Observe the new site for a year, determine where the microclimates are, evaluate the soil conditions. It's possible that your new garden will allow you to grow things that you wanted but could not grow in your old garden. Does your new home have an established garden already? If so, you might be thrilled by surprises popping up. No garden? Even better, nothing is as exciting as planning a new garden on a blank canvas. Look forward, not back!

My heart goes out to you. I know how it feels to leave your garden, never mind your friends and perhaps, family. You didn't say what zone your new home will be in. I moved from a zone 7 to a zone 5. I took over 200 pots with me. I have to say that I agree with "entling " and would never do that again! I would only take those that are special [ grandma's, mother's, passed on plant, or rare and unusual plants etc.] I potted mine up and put them in the ground until we moved, just as "aftermidnight" suggested. I moved in the Fall so we could dig a trench, at the new house [ a large one for all of those plants!] plopped them in, gave them a good drink and hoped for the best until Spring. I only lost about 10% and some of those were because of the colder zone. If you know someone who could heel them in at their house, and you could retrieve them in the Spring, that would be another way to handle the situation. Perhaps you could share some of them with the plant sitter, as a thank you. Good luck!
GG

Moving is a stressful time. Don't compound it by trying to move plants. Look forward to creating a new garden at your new home. It's an all new chance to recreate the successes and avoid the failures. Wait till you're settled, spend the winter planning and next spring start your soil prep and planting. I wish you happiness in your new home.

So sorry you have to move and leave your garden. But you will be able to make a new garden at your new home and that is exciting!

Moving is stressful, but I guess you need to decide if it's more stressful for you to lug plants around, or leave your plants behind! I would be more upset to leave my favorite plants behind. Yes it is extra work, and somewhat more stressful, to pot up plants and move them, but I love my plants and it's more fun than packing boxes. Also you will not have to pay for whole new plants.

I have successfully overwintered many potted plants by placing them against the north side of my house (which is the garage side), and thickly piling leaves, marsh hay, or wood chips around the pots. Both the northern exposure and mulch protect the soil and roots from freezing and thawing which can kill the plants. Just be sure to water the pots well whenever there is a mild spell through the winter.

I now have many plants growing in my gardens that came from relatives, friends, swaps - each plant has a history. Some came from my previous house, some were even planted by the previous owner there and the previous owner here. Some are decades old. I will definitely bring as many plants as possible with me to the next house. :)

I can totally relate to your sadness...I moved from SoCal in 94 to GA...and I had the most beautiful plants, vines, trees, etc. etc...I had completely re-landscaped my front yard, took out the grass and concrete and put in a little fence and transformed it into a complete english type garden...it took a few years to get stuff established (about the time I was planning to move) I even had to leave a storage area full of beautiful pots. I eventually sold the house and when the new owners took over, I spent some time going over the care of some of the "less common" plants and vines, and fruits etc that were out there...the landscaping, I believe, sold this house...EVERYONE who went there to see it commented on how great the yards and flowers etc. were....

If I would have had more space and more time to prepare when I moved, I'm certain that I would have taken more stuff with me...

On the other hand, I also know that the new owners really do love the house and all it's beautiful plants....so it's a toss up...I'd say if you have space, take things that are most important to you...and leave the rest for someone else to enjoy....

But do whatever you need to do so that you have no regrets...whatever that is, only you will know!!!

Sorry you have to move from your garden, I left one about 6 years ago, took nothing, and regret it. Worse than that, we moved not more than 1 mile away, and I had to watch my garden disappear and my landscaping waste away as the new owners completely neglected them. Just one little thing to remember, if you are selling the house you are leaving, you may need to include that you are taking plants with you (if that is what you decide to do) in the purchase agreement. Laws vary from state to state, but here, anything that is attached to or (growing out of) the property need to stay that way unless agreed upon up front.

I am moved by the heartfelt understanding and empathy all of you who posted here and expressed for this individual. Reading this made my day. Thank you!

Betsy, all the advice above is wise and thoughtful; you just have to decide which decision would work best for you over time. If it were me, I'd mark just a few of my absolute best performers and take along divisions of those, but it's your call. Spend some time just thinking about it first. Best of luck and post back when you get into your new home.