Advice for moving plants to new house

7 years ago

We are building a new house and hope to move in June 1. We will be selling our current house sometime soon after. I have a few plants that I'd like to keep, but wonder how to successfully transfer them to the new place! We won't have any landscaping done when we move in to the new house, and figuring out our yard will happen slowly over the next year...

I'm in southern Colorado...Zone 6a

Rose bush - I was just given a new rose bush to plant at the new house, but there is no where I can actually put it in the ground without it getting ruined...Will a rose bush temporarily survive in a large pot? Will it survive a transfer to its permanent home in the ground sometime later (maybe fall)?

Clematis - I have a 3 year old clematis that I'd like to hang on to...its in a spot right now where we are removing some landscaping and won't have any support to grow this summer anyway...It is just starting to produce a few green leaves...is it too late to dig it up? Will it survive in a pot until I can transfer it?

Irises - The irises will be right in the middle of blooming when we sell...which will be great for curb appeal, but I'd love to take a few with me! Do you think a few clumps will survive a transfer if dug up in full bloom? Do I replant them in a pot right away, or store them in a cool, dark place?

I appreciate any tips you might have!

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

7 years ago

They are all moveable and can all live in reasonably sized containers for at least a full growing season. The primary issue will be getting them the water they need. You will need to stay on top of that.

Bearded iris are extremely tough plants. I dug some out at an old garden and just left them sitting around......they rooted and bloomed without any attention from me!! I would separate some of the rhizomes you want now and pot up rather than risking interferring with the bloom cycle doing so later.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

altorama Ray
7 years ago
I moved about 60 established roses, some conifers, Clematis, and all of my perennials when I moved in the spring one year. Almost everything survived, I lost a few Hybrid Musks. It can definitely be done, luckily it is not too hot out yet, just keep your eye on them and lots of water. Good luck!
Related Professionals
Memphis Landscape Contractors · Marquette Landscape Contractors · Fargo Landscape Contractors · Burlington Design-Build Firms · Vernal Design-Build Firms · Auburn Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Port Saint Lucie Landscape Contractors · Victoria Landscape Contractors · Mansfield Landscape Contractors · Middletown Home Builders · Atlanta Home Builders · Florence Home Builders · Bangor Home Builders · Saint Cloud Home Builders · Gallup Home Builders
Sylvia Wendel
7 years ago
Try to get them as healthy as possible before the move. They’ll be stronger and better able to handle the changes.

How far is your new house fRom your present one? When we moved 25 miles north last year, we simply dug up the roses, deposited them in plastic trash bags, and drove them ourselves to the new place. I wouldn’t trust them to a mover. If you can move them yourself, you should.

I had some very large teas in pots. Too heavy to move. We broke apart the pots — they weren’t valuable — and used the plastic-bag method. They all survived.

if your new house is in the same or a similar ckimate zone, you shouldn’t have a problem.
Sarah
7 years ago
Congratulations on your new home!

Yes, plants can transfer. They may be unhappy for the first few year (or more for the clematis). I’d recommend getting a whole mess of compost where you plant them. The soil at your new construction may have some debris or not be as nice as your old home.

Be sure to mark the spots where you plant them as you may forget before next year’s growth. Easy to forget after a busy year!
altorama Ray
7 years ago
Also water very well before you dig them up.
oldrosarian
7 years ago
If you run out of pots, just use garbage bags filled with some soil and mainly mulch. Then when you get to your new home, plant them as soon as you can and cut them back by half .The roots

will be slightly shocked by digging up at that time of year. A shorter rose bush will be easier on them. Water, water, water. Even if they look droopy they will bounce back and won't die.
sautesmom Sacramento
7 years ago
New construction can trash your soil by compacting it, scraping off topsoil, and cement dust contamination. Be sure to amend the soil at the new house before planting!
Carla in Sac