I'm really surprised that you're still planting in z.3. Have you been successful in the past when planting so late?

We've had a warm November. Exposed ground is softly frozen about two inchs deep. The peonies I moved were more sheltered and still green. The new location is more exposed and will soon fix that. Usually, the ground would be frozen and/or snow covered by now. I haven't transplanted this late before (although I have raked leaves in shirt sleeves between Christmas and New Years). Both, plants needed moving: the peony shaded by a cherry tree; and, the currant in a flower bed snuggled up to a saskatoon.

Good luck with overwintering "lipother". I mean that sincerely. You are braver than I am. I planted some potted perennials around Nov.1, so am keeping my fingers crossed that they will be OK. I guess it helps to mulch and hope for early snowcover. I do rake all my leaves onto my perennial beds and gardens, so that keeps the ground warm a bit longer so the plants can root. We don't get deep frost until the end of December here.

You really have to look out the window to see what's happening. We went from record highs to a hard freeze in early October (too hot to transplant, to too cold). Since then temperatures have been above normal. The other factors in the decision to do it now were the plants were replaceable and needed to be moved.

Mulching is probably a good idea.

Thanks