Moving it now would be a bad idea in zone 6, but in your area you might get away with it. The problem is that you'd probably want to trim it back by at least half to avoid transplant shock, and then you'd get a bunch of new growth just when you want the plant to start hardening off for winter.

If you can, I'd wait for spring.

Thanks, eric - I will wait.... I love these plants and would hate for any of them to die - they are looking gorgeous now... maybe I can change my plan... (seems like I am always moving things around...

Carrie

I just saw this message, so it may be too late. But, I would not advise you to cut back artemisias in the fall. They need that old wood to survive the winter. Cut them back when they start showing new growth in the spring. The same goes for Perovskias, and salvias.

thanks, donna - Ive always cut mine back in the spring and that was a good reminder. I also decided not to move them until the spring as it turns out - Thanks

Carrie

I agree...if you can wait until spring you will have a much better chance of keeping it. I lost most of mine a few years back and I don't remember why, but just find they are not completely reliable in my yard. I just planted new ones this summer because last year I had one left and I cut it back in the fall and it didn't come back.

Hmm...I have to say that I don't really agree with the others here. I gardened for several years in a zone 7a in Greenville, South Carolina. The ground never freezes down there (if it does, it might only reach an 1", and only for a day or two). I moved plants up through mid-late November and never had any problems with it. I actually preferred moving my plants in the fall down there because the summers are so hot/muggy and sometimes dry that I don't think the short, abbreviated spring there is enough to get them an established root system to deal with the southern summers. I honestly think if you were to move it now, you'd be perfectly fine. Just dig up as much of the rootball as you can, if you are worried throw some leaves around it for protection. Thats just my two cents, coming from experience growing down near your area.
~Mike

milkey - I have to agree with you. The others are also right in saying that I should wait until spring but knowing our falls - so springlike and we never get frozen ground (watch this year it will freeze....), that I probably could move it now.

I actually did dig up one during the hot summer - dug up a good root ball and watered it well, but not too much later on. It has survived and I am stunned.

If I get "antsy", I will think about your post and go ahead and do it - worse scenario? I'd have to buy another one come spring!

Carrie

Hi Carrie-
You're right - worst case scenario - just buy another one. I'm one of those people who often just has to figure things out for himself. Oftentimes I'll be very surprised by the results...If you do wait until spring, I don't see any problem with doing the transplant in mid-late February. The person who said that you should hold off on cutting it back until spring was right though - I would wait on that, myself. Hope this helps - if you do move it now, let us know how it goes come spring!
~Mike

Thanks, Mike

I don't usually cut back a lot of things I transplant - especially lantana, salvias and definitely artemesias - but thanks for the reminder. Will post again in the spring (if I move it, of course...) Carrie