I have moved hardy hibiscuses in spring before too much foliage emerges without any problems - but I've never had to worry about damaging a JM tree.... I suspect fp you're careful you could still move the hibiscus but I can't say for certain.

Can you possibly wait as late in the season as you can? There is a very real risk with the JM roots and the closer you can get to full dormancy before you start digging in the area, the better.

If you let it be for now as GG suggests, in September or October, dig it out, and cut it back. It probably won't try to grow new foliage that late and the water loss will be minimized. Personally, I would prefer to move in Feb or March myself, with growth coming on, but fall probably does work too.

Any time during the maple's dormancy would work. But my understanding of the cold zone climates is that the further you go into the dormant period (essentially winter), the greater the chances are of the ground being frozen. And frozen soil makes digging and transplanting anything rather problematic :-)

I have and it took 2 years for it to truly bounce back. I dont live in a winter climate but she only just flowered this year, I think I lost a lot of energy to the roots. but they are hardy little guys.

linnea56, just anecdotally but I moved our 'beloved' BLUE RIVER II hardy hibiscus....as I recall in early June, as soon as I could see it arise from the winter. (At the time it might have been in the ground for maybe a couple of seasons). I was so worried that I would kill it but it didnt miss a beat that season.

Thanks. I will let it go for now. It's barely emerging but the Japanese maple is fully leafed out. The time when the maple goes dormant is variable: but not until late October or early November is likely. If we have a late fall where the ground can be worked I'll try for that.

Otherwise I'll make a note to try and move it early next spring.

I moved a young one a couple of times. It came back beautifully each time. I also removed a very mature one as I wanted to change the bed. I can say that was a real bear to get out!! good luck with yours.

And my herbaceous hibiscus are budding up now...despite cold spring. Such a difference between my location and yours linnea. I might move it now if it's still pretty small, I was thinking (like mine) full sized.

And my herbaceous hibiscus are budding up now...despite cold spring. Such a difference between my location and yours linnea

Linnea and I are probably quite similar in climate and our hardy hibiscus first appeared this season on May 30. And here it is today with the tallest stem maybe a foot in height and it will give its first bloom the first week of August.

Mine will be either A) burning up in the heat or B) mostly done by August. I might get some repeat on some..often weather precludes that.

mostly done by August.

Amazing eh?

Yes, zone wise, we're so close (6 & 7, or 5 in Linnea's case), it's amazing the actual difference though. Having lived in Nebraska and visited Canada too, the thing that amazed me most was the annuals don't look tired and half dead by August (lol). They sure do here (except for a few things, like tithonia, but those blow over and break in the storms).

and visited Canada too

If I can ask where have you been in our country?

Are you scared? Lol, I've been many times, to BC, Alberta, Ontario. Photography in the Canadian Rockies was fantastic.

Nope not 'scaredy'...just interested to hear where international travellers go when visiting our country. Yup we are understandably proud of those Rockies :).

I've never found any of Canada not pretty. When I was a child and my aunt in Washington took us across the border to a zoo (sorry don't remember which/where), I remarked (even at 11 I think) on how well taken care of the properties looked (unlike what I was used to). My aunt explained that there was a tax break for the property looking nice (or something).