I think all of those can be moved fine, as long as they are kept watered. As I'm sure you know, pretty much anything is better off being moved in early spring, except for irises being moved in fall. But I've moved pretty much everything at all times during the summer, and I don't think I lost anything as long as they were well watered. You may not get flowers on your irises, and if you do, you may want to cut them off without blooming so they save their energy.

As far as how long to keep in a holding bed...IMO the best thing would be for them to stay put in the holding bed until later summer/early fall and then transplant. But as I said, I think they could be moved back at any time, it just takes more TLC. Even though they say that fall is a great time to transplant perennials, I have lost a few doing it that way...I think sometimes they just don't have enough time to get settled and get over being stressed before it starts freezing.

Well, I guess I'm just lazy cause I would just continually pile stuff (soil and/or stuff that eventually turns into soil) on top instead of digging up and replanting. Most of my pruning from the garden just gets tossed back on top of the soil. I call it mulch :) I don't see anything wrong with adding some soil/manure mix on top of the roots of the rose bushes, and then adding mulch over the whole bed.

Pudge, I had thought of that, but won't the daylilies and irises in particular, hate being covered? Parts of the bed are a good 3 inches lower than it should be.

I like your comment saying "I guess I'm just lazy". I think you and I are older than Weeper, so therefore we've become seasoned and don't want as much extra work if we can help it. I for one, like efficiency. :) When I was young like her, I was gung ho and had lots of energy. You agree Weeper??

If and when I move everything, I'll be letting them keep a lot of their original soil, filling in everything with soil and compost, and then replanting.

If I plan ahead, I could probably get it accomplished in two afternoons.

Yes? No?

I don't like moving roses, at all, ever. But people do it.

The rest should be fine. I've moved irises at different times and they lived. Daylilies are good to move in early spring. The ground cover would probably be lamium and it's indestructible - you can chop it up and the pieces will grow. Liatris grows from a funky bulb that looks a bit like fennel, it moves fine. Phlox isn't picky. Never grown speedwell.

I hate to say I told you so but I am not a believer in lasagna beds. ;)

Well, I think I'm gung ho in the planning phase, and then part way through the carrying-it-out phase, I go "what the heck was I thinking?!!"

Touché Katie!!! And I am old, sore and creaky so you'd think I would know better by now!! Hardly! Once an addict.......

Lynn, you should have no problem moving any of your plants as long as you move soil with them. I have always shifted things around and may have to do a whole lot more of that this fall. Why, oh why, do I like creating work for myself? Oh yeah, I think I already answered that.

Happy gardening everyone! Remember this is supposed to be relaxing and rejuvenating! :) Lol!

Ginny