How to Move an Established Shrub (Garden Transplant!) - Pots & Trowels

Martin's tackling a hibiscus in the new garden - he likes it and wants to keep it but it'll be better sited in the border. #gardening #plants #shrubs #hibiscus
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Martin Fish has been gardening for over 40 years & judges for the RHS and writes regular features in gardening magazines. Videographer Sean Riley has been making videos for over 20 years. Martin and Sean have worked together on gardening TV & videos for the BBC & brands such as Allett, Cobra, Darlac, Ego and many others.

[@RealLemon_VR]

Great video thanks the recent storms in Cornwall have made my hedges lean oleria so I’m going to dig them out and reposition them 👍🫶

[@irenesmith5676]

Hi Martin & Jill love the video! The little shrub looks a lot better now lv Irene 😘 xx

[@PotsTrowels]

Thanks Irene! Looking forward to seeing it flower 💠 :) -Sean

[@thorntond.mciverjr.6891]

Martin, Martin, Martin...Great video. The easy way you explained the hows and whys and when’s of relocating the shrub was great. You made it seem easy... Your video confirmed some of my concerns after I had to relocate two well established Boxwoods that were dug up during a sewer line replacement in my front yard. Thanks for sharing...would like to see how your shrub looks now. Thanks for the great video!

[@PotsTrowels]

Thanks for watching, fresh videos every Thursday and a weekly podcast on Sundays, I will ask Martin if he has any recent pics! -Sean

[@Bladesmobile]

Hope you do a follow up to show us how its doing now

[@radharcanna]

Nice job. It looked good in the end.

[@PotsTrowels]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mkb7997]

I’ve dug out many a shrub. But I never knew that I should snip cleanly the larger roots. This is timely advice as I will need to temporarily move some established shrubs prior to our house being fumigated. On that note, do you think I can wrap the root balls in burlap for the three days that the house will be under the tent or do I need to pot them?

[@PotsTrowels]

Apologies, your question slipped through the net! Probably too late now but either burlap or pots would’ve been fine. Hope they moved well,

[@allenperdue7723]

Thank you very much indeed!

[@PotsTrowels]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching -Sean

[@bluestar.8938]

Thank you : )

[@PotsTrowels]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching 🌱 -Sean

[@beena8510]

Thanks for sharing.. I did not know that we can remove an established shrub to a new place. I have one leaning in the garden, Ribes sangiuneum, difficult to pronounce 😁. I will change its position next Autumn.

[@PotsTrowels]

Good luck! Thanks for watching 🌱 -Sean

[@nicnac.]

Hi Martin, is it the same process for moving a climbing rose?

[@PotsTrowels]

Yes, although roses tend to have less fibrous roots, but even old plants move successfully.

[@MC-pg2ko]

Great video. Thanks for uploading. Is it safe to cut the thicker, deeply bedded roots, which can be difficult to dig out or will this harm the growth of the shrub in its new 'home'.

[@PotsTrowels]

Yes you can cut some of the thicker roots as long as there are plenty of fibrous roots on the root ball. And of course wait until the shrub is dormant. Martin

[@MC-pg2ko]

@@PotsTrowels Thank you!

[@normanconnor2771]

Thanks Martin. Do we need to add bonemeal and lime to the hole in the new location before transplanting the shrub?

[@PotsTrowels]

Either bonemeal or blood fish & bone are ideal to mix in with the soil, but not usually lime unless it’s a lime loving plant.

[@curiouscat3384]

Bonemeal is great. Lime depends on your soil and the type of shrub. Lime alkalizes. For evergreens I use Hollytone fertilizer which acidifies.

[@magdalenagauderon3754]

Is there a specific reason you prune after transplanting?

[@PotsTrowels]

Usually to reduce the stems to prevent wind rock and to compensate for root damage when transplanting. It also will stimulate new growth in spring. Martin

[@sandy-rr1by]

No watering in?

[@PotsTrowels]

Hi, I didn’t water the shrub in as it was a deciduous shrub that I was moving in the autumn and the ground was very moist.
All the best, Martin

[@Opuscus]

You should invest in a pair of boots er. (Wellingtons) it is painful to watch!

[@PotsTrowels]

This comment gave us something to have a good chat about on the latest episode of the podcast (available on Sunday) thanks! - Sean