There are couple of things come to mind. One of them is if the state you're moving to is Florida, they have that Agricultural checkpoint station when you enter the state. If they searched the moving van and found a bunch of plants... you can see where I'm going with this.

The other thing is moving is stressful. I should know, I've moved 5 times in the past 5 years. I've wanted to take plants with me that I was attached to. So I wasted a lot of time doing just that. As it turned out I wound up moving where the plants weren't hardy and had to leave them behind. I didn't completely learn my lesson though and took a plant that wound up getting neglected because I was too busy doing other things for the move and it died. It's tough to stay on top of everything so keep that in mind before you spend a lot of time and money and effort, it's going to be difficult. Not impossible, but difficult.

I agree, moving is a pain, you will have so much to do the last thing you need to worry about is keeping a bunch of plants alive. Some moving companies will move your plants at your own risk, meaning if they die too bad. so then you spent all that time and effort for nothing. If something is important to you, take it, but otherwise you can get it again later. Besides I found that I didn't have time to touch my yard for months. Plus they say you should live someplace for a year to see what it is like before you start doing too much. You know see where the water sits when it rains etc.

LauraAnn on this forum has moved twice in the last 2 years and taken her plants. The whole process was initiated BEFORE the house was on the market (so you are smart). They were in charge the the plant move. As a matter of fact, she is on the road with move #2 and a truckload of plants in tow across the country!!
My Mom deeply regrets not taking some of my grandmothers plants with her to her new home. If you are planning to take things, I don't think it will be a problem. You just plant the rest of your move around the living things!

GGG

I dug up and moved oodles of plants. I dug and potted them in the spring and moved them in the fall. They stayed in pots for nearly two years before I was able to plant them. I moved japanese maples, cast iron plants, magnolia (seedling), lioripe, and other stuff. I also had a lot of camellias and azaleas in pots that I maintained for nearly a year til I could plant them. In fact, I still have some pots of plants to plant (about 3 yrs later). We moved a huge doghouses in the back of a pickup and put most pots inside that to keep wind off them during the trip.

We moved within the state, however.... about a four hour trip.

I have moved twice and both times have taken many, many plants. On the first move my husband was appalled when I rented a U-Haul just for plants. My second move was from Stone Mtn to Powder Springs. During the building, I brought a load of plants every now and then and heeled them in to a hillside at the far edge of the property. I would never have survived the stress of the move without my plants. In both cases, they were not planted for a long time.

Linda Gail

Make that, 'I will be moving.' I accepted a new job yesterday. Relocation is covered, which is great!

Thanks everyone for their advice. I imagine we will be especially busy during and after the move for many months. Some plants are water-hogs and I wouldn't try to move. Others - I just might. We're close enough to drive over several loads of plants in a little utility trailer that we own (Harbour Freight, fold-up, highly recommended), and (mercifully) have some very flexible relatives close to the new area that can store pots outside. So we may do it ourselves in increments.

And of course, there is one special plant that is sentimental - bearded iris from my parents old cottage that they just sold. I transplanted them down here last fall - and want to take some with me. I might dig up a huge clod of earth with them in it and move them before we vacate, rather than try to ask the next owner if I can come back. I have a strong back - it'll be a BIG clod!

Thanks again everyone,
Tulips

I also might be moving in fall - a 2-hour flight away. Most of the stuff I want to bring are bulbs, rizomes, tubers like elephant ears, cannas, dahlias, iris.. I plan to pack them in boxes with peat moss/shredded newspaper.
But my question is whether they would handle the moving van with temperature shocks, or whether I should fedex them to the new location, or bring them on a flight - too cold in cargo? Or should I make the 13 hour drive (according to mapquest) + rest times by car and add a couple of potted plants like bananas and a few smal potted cuttings?