Lilac, rose can be moved now with care

Q: Earlier this year, we planted two shrubs that we now think are going to outgrow the allotted spaces quickly! One, a Jolly Roger lilac, and then a peace rose. Both have done well this year, but again, they look like they are going to get too big. The rose especially, since its thorny stems want to reach out already and grab you! The lilac is taking up too much of our view into the backyard! Our question, can we transplant either/both this time of year without causing harm to them and have them come back next spring safe and sound? — W.G., Albuquerque

A: If you’re going to move these two, the sooner, the better.

I hope you have chosen spots in the yard where they’ll be more appropriately grown. The first thing is to create the holes that will receive them. It’ll be a lot like starting from scratch when you first planted. Dig the holes twice as wide as the holes were originally, and mix that soil with some good, finely-milled compost.

Having the receiving holes readied, it’s time to dig up the plants. The lilac could be pruned up a bit, but remember, it set next spring’s bloom on this year’s growth, so its flowering might not be as grand or desired next year if you prune it now. If you have the wherewithal to dig it up as is, all the better. Tie some soft rope – like clothesline rope – at the base and then circling the plant you aim is to sort of fold it up. That way you won’t be fighting with the limbs, and the plant’s stems and limbs are less likely to get broken.

When you dig up the lilac, aim to get as much of the existing root mass as possible, A sharp-bladed spade should be the tool of choice here. Since the lilac is still very young, getting most, if not all the root, should be doable. If it’s a trek to the new home, lay the uprooted guy on a tarp and drag it to its new home. A wheelbarrow would make the move easier, too, if you need to move it a distance.

Planting will be much the same as when it was new, standing the lilac in its new hole, making sure that it’s not planted any deeper or shallower that it just was. Scooch amended soil around the root mass, tamping it down firmly as you go. There should be extra soil, so use it to create a moat wall surrounding it. Then offer a slow drink of water to help settle it in. Once the moat has been filled and no air bubbles are popping up, offer a dose of root stimulator, tell the lilac it’ll be just fine, and know the move now is for the best.

The rose move will be a bit more precarious. I will not suggest you prune it at all now. Traditionally rose pruning in these parts is done in late March, and roses can be peculiar, so you don’t want to encourage any new growth from it this time of year.

Since the rose is thorny, you might consider wrapping it up with canvas and then encircling it with the twine to condense it for ease of the move. Again, since it’s young, digging up the majority of its root shouldn’t be too much work. I say that but realize it will be work.

Get the rose to its new home and do the replanting using the amended soil. Here you will need to be very sure that the rose is planted to the same depth. If the receiving hole is too deep, lift the plant and scooch more soil beneath it, or the opposite if it is not deep enough. Exacting will be your mantra when replanting the rose.

Backfill and tamp as you go, creating the moat wall, and then slowly fill the moat with water. If the rose sinks, you’ll want to dig to put more soil beneath it and continue again. Keeping the rose at its original level is paramount. Once planted correctly do offer a dose of root stimulator, just no fertilizer in any way, shape, or form.

Remember to unwrap and untwine the plants, check for and snip away any limbs or branches that might have been injured during the move, water periodically throughout the coming winter months and know that the move was done for the best. All of you will be happier in the long run!

Happy Diggin’ In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.