If it is baptisia it resents being transplanted. It has a very long taproot - so you will need to dig deeply. I don't know when the best time to transplant baptisia is but I would guess fall because it is a spring flowering plant. Good luck.

Baptisia does not like to be moved at all, you may or may not get it back if you disturb it. It is a native plant and its extensive root system allows it to do well in poor soil conditions and tolorate drought. Perhaps it is not doing well in your front yard for just that reason, you may be treating it too well, LOL. Past threads about this plant indicate that it thrives best when abused. I agree with ei ei o, if you're going to take a shot at moving it, dig very deeply and in the fall. Just understand that you may be taking your chances.... Good Luck....Helen.

How old are your Baptisias? They usually dont flower very much til they are at least 3 years old. You can also cut them back to a manageable size after they bloom.

Jen

I'm on my third attempt this year to germinate them from seed - this time soaking them for 24 hours in warm water and growing in a sand/vermiculite/cocoa hull mix. Beautiful plant - I'm hoping I get something out of all this effort.

Hm....while I'd certainly agree that Baptisia doesn't appreciate being moved...I have moved enough of them to find that, for me at least, they can certainly handle it. I have moved several plants that have been in the ground for one to two years and had absolutely no problem with them. Most of them honestly didn't seem to miss a beat. Never lost a baptisia that I've moved, and I've grown A LOT of them. Just cut them back after you move them (which, I too would move them in the fall), and try and get as many of the roots as you can by digging deep. Honestly, in my experience as well, the sunnier the site and the poorer the soil, the better.
~Mike

Dicot, they winter sow rather easily....let nature do the work. This has been the practice for many a plant for at least a thousand years....

Just put the seeds in a pot (with drain holes) of moistened soil with a vented cover and stick the whole thing outside. Keep an eye on the moisture (you will see condensation on the cover) and next year you should have quite a few seedlings....

Get them in the ground as soon as possible in the spring.

I'll agree with Mike - taprooted plants like Baptisia are difficult to move, but adjust to transplanting just as well as any other plant, provided an adequate root system is removed. I've moved mine (also oriental poppies, another taprooted perennials with a mythical reputation for resisting transplanting) several times and with no ill-effects. Just dig deeply and remove as much of the root system as possible. And do it now.

I am guessing we have not heard back from analytical due to the back injury he incured trying to move that monster of a plant. Nothing stays in one place for very long in my garden but the challenge of digging up a five year old Baptisa was far more back breaking than any tree or shrub I have ever dug up. I did move mine over three years ago in the spring and it did in deed survive but with poorer soil and no irrigation it is only one third the size of its former self and I have yet to see a single flower. I have three of the dwarf Baptisa that need to be moved and I'm hoping it will be easier. kt

Runktrun -
I've got to say I certainly would fear moving a Baptisia that has been in the same spot for 5 years! I just moved one that has been in the ground since April and it was a pain...but it did survive, and I have no doubt that it will bloom next spring. Never said it would be easy to move some of those taprooted perennials! lol

Hi All, A friend gave me Baptisa seeds and I planted them in July in a pot outside. They did nothing until September when they began to germinate and many little leaves are now up. Here it is October and we have had our first frost. The largest seeding is about an inch high. Should I bring them in or leave them out for the winter or will these seedlings make it? Any help you can give me would be appreciated. I know that they make good winter seeders. I have a few seeds left. Do think I should start again and seed some more for the winter? Vignewood

To repeat something I have posted several times, Tony Avent of Plant Delights, who has introduced many of the new Baptisias, has said that there is no problem in moving Baptisias. My experience as well--I have moved several. Dig it in early spring, water it well, and stop worrying about it.