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Annuals/hydrangea

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Expert: - 1/30/2007


Question
can the above plant be transplanted, if so what time of year is best to transplant. thabks

Answer
You have missed the boat on the best transplant time for this shrub, unfortunately.  But it would not be the first time Hydrangeas were planted in the spring.

If you can get the ground broken and prepared early, the earlier you get this into the ground, the better.  Fall is best because the plant is winding down and growth has ceased - minimizing shock.  Spring is better than summer because you are seeing the early growth spurts, but the plant is still semi-dormant.

This is a tough shrub.  You're not asking me about, say, Daphne, or a plant with delicate, deep roots.  The most important thing is to take as much of the original rootball as you can and get it back into the ground the same day.

The soil should be well prepared, in the case of Hydrangeas you would want a substantial amount of Peat Moss and Bone Meal to help with the pH and root development.  But the ultimate key will probably be how much of the root system you take along.

Pruning slightly will help with water loss.  That may postpone flowering a full year but it could also be the difference between success and failure.  For a large specimen, it would be important, as much of the root system could be lost.  But for a reasonably sized Hydrangea, just try to get lots of roots.  That - not spring scheduling - is the most important thing here.

Annuals

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Long Island Gardener

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Decisions, decisions... If you can't make up your mind which Annuals to grow, you're not alone. Problem with your new flowering Annuals flats? I`ve been there, done that. Petunias, Sweet Alyssum, Larkspur, Marine Blue Lobelia -- they all grow here at my house on Garden Street on Long Island, N.Y.. Cutting and Cottage Gardens, Sun and Shade Gardens, White Gardens and Night Gardens, I`ve done them all. Annuals are the perfect summer flower, bursting with color June through fall's first frost. I can`t speak on Cactus or tender Tropical Plants -- they don`t grow outside in my Zone 7. I`m no Farmer, so I cannot guide you on Fruits and Vegetables. But whether it`s an Annual you want to start from seed, mail-order or pick up at your local garden center, I can help you grow amazing blooms this Summer. Yes, together, we can turn your neighbors green with envy.

Experience

I have a lifetime of gardening behind me here on the North Shore of Long Island. While I have degrees in related fields, there's nothing like hands-on work to build real knowledge. I stay on top of current science -- there's a boom in research, and Kingdom Plantae is filled with surprises. By the way, I really do live on Garden Street.

Publications
Gannett newspapers, The New York Times, and hundreds of others - but not on Annuals.

Education/Credentials
B.A., botany; graduate credits in European Intellectual History and Political Science; minor coursework in related fields, docent training at our local botanical gardens (required for volunteers). I'm currently working on an advanced biochemistry degree.

Awards and Honors
I could tell you, but then you'd know who I am.

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