moving a plant

Hi I planted an elder back in the spring but as it was a replacement for another plant that that didn't make the winter I planted in the same spot but after thinking about it, it would be better a bit further back and something smaller towards the front. Question is as it's only been for one summer could I get away with moving it if I was dig say twice the pot size and not damage any roots? I'm sure I read on here that elders are quite hard to get rid of so guessing that they are quite resilent. I did plant another elder species at the same time which the toddler promptly trampled and pulled to bits but it is looking very healthy after only a few months.

 

Scotty, wait until the leaves drop then move to where you want it to be. It will be fine.

 

Spot on thats what I thought as was planning to do it once the growing season stops but guess the leavbes dropping off are as good a sign as you will get.

 

One time I was thinking of planting a new hedgerow to split my top field into two. I used random sticks to mark the line so I could stand back and judge it. Some of the sticks happened to be elder. One grew

Then a few months later I was taking the lawnmower over the overgrown grass, and I heard the familiar groaning crunching noise of the mower going over something a bit more woody. Lawnmower 1: Elder Nil:(

 

So when I am moving a couple of evergreens later this year . If I wait until the deciduous shrubs drop their leaves , this would be a good signal to move them ?

 

Hi Harry, take a look at this link; it describes the best time to move evergreen shrubs as late autumn or early spring;

http://www.which.co.uk/documents/pdf/moving-shrubs-and-trees-153910.pdf

:thumb:

 

Thanks Bilbo Early October it is then for my evergreen move . I am making room for a row of Cannas next year . (Actually I have put a question on your Canna post in the Tropical section, if you have time to have a look )

 

As a general rule any plant should not be moved until it is dormant ... usually late autumn or early spring (better in autumn over here, as our winters are not too severe and the root system will be safe enough. In areas where ground can freeze more deeply during winter the move is better made in early spring, just before budding
A plant that has not been in the ground for very long will probably not have had time to send out a new rooting system, so may be able to be moved at almost any time of year. Having said that, I would never try to move a plant in full flower or full leaf

 

As a general rule of thumb, only move plants in november,december or january, and only if the ground is not waterlogged or frozen. Also, make sure you take as much of the root system as possible.

 

Does this rule is applicable to different countries? Or the rule differs from country to country?

 

If you re-read my post you will see that it most definitely varies with country to country
I think Dai is referring in general terms to the position in the UK, although he does make it clear that you should not try to move a plant when the ground is frozen

 

I only know what applies to the UK. Whereabouts do you live tisticout?