I did some last year. They were one of the first things to sprout for me, but were the wimpiest of everything I WS'ed at the end of the season, though part of that was a horrible earwig infestation. Anyway, I wouldn't have been surprised if they didn't survive the winter, but I have 4 little clumps that came back (out of 6 that I originally transplanted). Now we'll see if they actually flower! I transplanted them like everything else. I did divide my container up, but I had spaced the seed out a bit so I didn't have to disturb the roots very much to do so. I left them in the container a good long while, too. I had sprouts on March 30th, removed the container lid on April 29th, but didn't plant them out until July 1st! We'll see how it goes, but I think if I try lupine again, I'll go with the wild variety, which are supposed to be easier to grow.

I agree, fall is a good time to transplant especially in zone 7. The best time is before you expect rain and on a cloudy day. Water them in well at the time of transplanting especially if rain is not expected. Most plants will develop a good root system over winter and be established when spring arrives giving you a jumpstart. Cutting back first often makes plants easier to handle and since you are wanting to concentrate on root growth, its fine and sometimes best to cut back. If a plant is marginally hardy however, I would not cut it back until spring and wait to transplant it in spring. Some plants resent being moved at all so you might have some losses. When a plant falls into this category, I wait until its fully dormant to move it if I absolutely must. Other plants could care less, seem not to notice and can be moved any time. Its a matter of trial and error sometimes. I plant most hardy annual seeds in fall and definitely the ones needing cold stratification. Perennials are best sown in fall as well most of the time. You can look each type up. Seeds that birds enjoy eating like sunflower seed would be be better planted in late winter or spring. Many hardy annuals will germinate in fall and stay as a small rosette during winter and be well set to take off in spring. Often you just have to use common sense and think how nature sows seed for any given plant. If seeds fall to the ground in fall, its a good time to plant which is what happens in nature. If a seed is large, its best to bury it about the depth of the seed size while fine seed is best raked in or barely covered. You might want to mark certain seeds. I always think I will remember where I planted something but I never do. Native plants often grow much larger in a yard or garden setting than they do in their natural habitat because of richer garden soil and regular irrigation. Its very common for people to over plant or to plant them too close and/or end up with a larger plant than anticipated.

Hi Chris, I have not tried much this, mostly because I left the "wild" stuff" when we built our house and built my gardens around it. I have transplanted yucca (harder because you have to get a good tap root) and cactus (very easy) to more convenient spots and been quite successful with it. Good luck and please let us know how you fare! Pam T wishccr

The wooly aldegid is an insect that is spreading, unfortunately, well on it's own (wind, birds, mammals). If you do see the wooly looking (think very small Q-Tip)small bugs at the branch meets needle area, easiest, safest method is to use horticultural oil or soap to kill them. Homeowners can buy the stuff at any garden store, it has been used safely for a long time in gardens. It only works if you are infested, this stuff is not a repelent. Do a search to find out more about application. I have yet to see them in my neck of the Catskills. I too have many transplanted hemlock on my property. They grow quickly and can be trimmed to fit your needs. I used to gently rip them off of the rocky soil, and dig a shallow hole and of all the trees I planted, I believe all are still out there! (think weeds) State Land - ba! there goes more hard earned tax money.