Moving Heleniums

I have some heleniums which I want to move. I've read that it's better to move them in spring, as they're normally late flowering. However mine have been flowering since the beginning of July and are now going over. So when is the best time to move them?

 

I've just had a look on the web Lorea and it says to divide/move in spring just as they come into growth. Don't move them this time of year as they tend to rot when replanted.

 

Thanks Sheal. That's more or less what I'd decided to do, I was just a bit thrown by them flowering so early, but perhaps that was because of our crappy, extremely cold spring.

 

I would agree with Sheal, conventional wisdom says that its better to move (and divide) most perennials in spring. The reason being that any damage done is repaired quickest when they are actively growing.

However I have always moved and divided them, and many other perennials, in autumn and never had any problems. The ground is still very warm and so they should be capable of repairing any damage now. The reason I always move plants in autumn, is that at this time of year I know what the plant is and where it is. Come spring, I often have no idea what they are.

I have just seen that you are in Spain - so it should be warmer still for you.

 

Thanks for that Pete - that was the reason for my dilemma. We had pretty cold night time temperatures of around 4ºC last week, with frost at the weekend, but we're back to minimums of 11/12ºC this week. I'm on heavy clay which can get pretty soaked during the winter.