From our perspective, timing is everything. We request that you undertake this operation during our natural dormancy periods, either in early spring just as we begin to show the faintest new growth at our crown, or in the cool, moist days of early autumn. These seasons align with our biological rhythms. In spring, the warming soil energizes our roots for rapid establishment before the heat of summer demands more water. In autumn, the fading sunlight signals us to direct energy downward, strengthening our root systems for winter dormancy without the stress of supporting top growth and flowers. Please avoid transplanting us in summer; the intense heat and sun cause excessive transpiration (water loss through our leaves), and our roots, disturbed and struggling to uptake water, cannot keep up, leading to severe wilting and potential demise.
Before you begin, please hydrate us thoroughly a day or two in advance. A well-watered plant experiences less shock as the moist soil holds together better, protecting our delicate feeder roots. Prepare our new home first—a hole twice as wide as our anticipated root ball and of similar depth, amended with well-rotted compost to welcome us with rich, well-draining nutrients. This ensures we do not wait with our roots exposed, drying out in the sun and wind, which is incredibly stressful for us.
Using a sharp spade, dig a wide circle around our base, aiming to preserve as much of the root ball as possible. Our root systems, while not excessively deep, are fibrous and can be extensive. Gently work the spade beneath us to lift the entire root mass from the ground. Please handle us by the root ball, not by our stems, which are brittle and can snap. If you are dividing us, use a sharp, clean knife to slice through the crown, ensuring each new section has several healthy roots and at least one growing eye or shoot. This careful division minimizes damage and allows each new plant to recover more quickly.
Place us in the prepared hole at the same depth we were growing before; burying our crown too deeply can lead to rot. Backfill the hole gently with the amended soil, firming it around our roots to eliminate large air pockets without compacting the soil too severely. Water us deeply and slowly immediately after planting. This "settling in" water is crucial—it eliminates remaining air pockets and ensures our roots make direct contact with their new soil environment, the first step in re-establishing our hydraulic systems.
Our recovery depends entirely on your aftercare. Please provide consistent moisture for the next several weeks, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. A layer of organic mulch around our base (but not touching our stems) is immensely beneficial. It helps retain soil moisture, regulates soil temperature, and suppresses weeds that would otherwise compete with our compromised root system for resources. Shield us from intense, direct afternoon sun for the first week or two if possible. With this diligent care, we will signal our successful transplantation by perking up and beginning new growth, ready to thrive and grace your garden for another season.
