Expert: Tom Alonzo - 6/24/2009

Question
The house that I purchased had a snowball bush in the front yard however it is very close to the driveway and a large truck was turning around and ran over it. To my surprise 3 new twigs have continued to grow and are
blossoming now. I want to move it to my backyard for protection from future bad drivers. When and how do you suggest I do that. I just love this little bush and really want it moved to the back but don't want to move it wrong.
Thank you so much for any help you can give me.

Answer
Hi Judy,
Thanx for your question.  Viburnum (snowball bush) is very hardy and tough.  Wait until late August or early September and then trim it back if it is bushy just to make it easier to handle.  Dig the root ball out carefully and make sure you have a good sized ball.  Look at the drip line (where the rain water falls off of the plant onto the perimeter around the plant) and start digging around.  Move the rootball to a hole that is slightly larger and has been amended with some well-composted cow manure and make sure the plant is sitting slightly lower in the ground than it was before you dug it up.  Gently cover the rootball with remaining soil and then soak it with water.  Mulch it with some straw or cypress bark and it should be fine.  I hope this helps.
Tom