Went to school up there, loved it. Anyway, it's a cold zone 5 up there.

My neighbors took divisions of a lot of there plants before they moved. They were all plants (or seed from plants ) that were in her mother's garden that were in her mother's garden. They did this before they put the house on the market since you can't be tearing stuff out of the garden once the house is sold.

One other thing to think about is some hydrangeas become marginal performers in Zone 5. Especially the macrophylla types. Your oakleaf should be fine. Hopefully someone from up there might chime in or you might want to research how they perform up there. Perhaps post on the NY gardening forum. Considering you are luvhydrangeas, I am sure you wouldn't mind having to provide winter protection if need be.

Might as well leave the macs for the new owners to enjoy and when you get to Albany you might want to stock up on Endless Summer or else read up on Hayseedman's overwintering techniques. Good luck on the move!!.....yg

I think ,No I know I would take the plants that mean so much to you , And were given to you for special events.At least try to get cuttings or seeds.
I feel for you.I would be heartbroken to leave cherished plants behind.
I would at least give it a try.
Good Luck!!

Todays Memories Are Tomorrows Treasures
May you have Many yesterdays!!!

Believe me, you should try to take the plants (or cuttings or seeds), you will always regret it if you don't. It is funny how we get sentimental over certain things and not others, but, when you know your attachment, you should work with it! All the hard work in the world is worth it to have a piece of your personal history. Later, if you decide it isn't really all that important anymore, then you can always dig it up for someone else to love.

Amy

I just moved from northern CA to Washington state last summer and had to leave my garden that I had planted and loved for almost 40 years! We had to move out of our home in March to have it renovated and I started potting up plants and bringing them to our rented house. We made the move north in July and I moved about 125 pots of jammed stuff with us in a truck. The trip was hot and the back of the truck got over 120 degrees but most of my plants survived. People thought I was crazy and I had to baby them through this last winter, but most survived and I am only sorry that I did not bring more.

It has been wonderful to realize that some of the plants that I could not take are already in my new garden and every day is an adventure to see what the previous owners had left me.

So, My advise is to take lots of cuttings and dig whatever you want to take with you! Moving is a lot of work and when you can plant your precious babies in your garden, it makes all of the effort worth it. Each zone has its own special plants and buying new ones is always fun, but when you can go into your garden and see your old friends, it makes it your speicial garden.

We just got new neighbors across the street. The first thing they did was to cut down a magnolia tree in full bloom. Take your plants.

I recently moved, and I say take as much as you can with you. From experience I can tell you nothing makes the chore of moving better than having "your" plants to arrange in your new garden. When I moved I took with me 3 lilacs, 20 clematis, 15 hydrangea, 2 rhodies, and numerous perenials. Some were in the ground, many in large pots or oak barrels. To make the job easier and less stressful when it was time to replant, I potted everything up in those large fiber pots you get at most any garden centers. That way, all I have to do now that I've moved is pick a spot and replant or pot up, fiber pot and all. Good Luck.

Linda