skip to main content

Consequences of transplanting in winter/early spring, zone 5

9 years ago

Hello, I have a question about transplanting irises. I recently moved to a new house with a garden that has a lot of potential. There are a whole bunch of irises in one area of the garden that is completely shaded, and consequently had no blooms last summer. I have read in many places that the best time to transplant is July/August, 6-8 weeks after bloom, but I am wondering what the consequences would be if I transplanted now, in February? Would I just lose the blooms for this season? Or is there a likelihood of losing the rhizomes to rot? I doubt I will get blooms if they stay where they are for another summer, so the loss of blooms isn't crucial, I just don't want to risk losing the whole plant if I up and move them, and I'd prefer to give them as much of a head start in their new sunny home as possible. Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

littlebit_gw
9 years ago
You could always try to move a few, but leave some just in case. I am not familiar with your area or zone. If you move them now you should just lose bloom.
beesneeds
9 years ago
Aren't you a bit too frozen to try digging around if you are in zone 5?

Aside from that... I can say that I have overwintered irises I've gotten on clearance in pots and put them in in the spring once the soil could be worked and not lost them. I haven't done this often though, so I don't know if I just lucked out with what I planted, or if it's actually ok to do so.

If you have a whole bunch of irises, that should mean you got a bunch of rhizomes. So as littlebit said, move a few, and see what happens.
Related Discussions
Zone 5a Too early fertilizer? Crabgrass?
Q
Comments (1)
Time to put down a pre-emergent iswhen the forsythia bloom. The AI in most pre-emergents will preclude overseeding for up to 120 days. Spray-on weed killers like Weed B Gone by Ortho are better alternatives than granulars like Weed and Feed by Scotts. Read the instruction on whatever product you choose for proper application and advisories regarding overseeding. When applying early Spring fertilizer, keep the total monthly N application to less than one pound per thousand square feet form all sources (Milorganite, Weed and Feed, pre-emergent etc.)
...See More
Pruning back late Aug/early Sept in zone 5
Q
Comments (11)
Hi, mary_lu here... :-) Sunrise Sunset does tend to throw long canes in the fall. I usually just leave them unless they are growing out into the sidewalk. If they are, then I cut them back. Haven't had a problem doing that yet. In fact I planted 2 more SS in my garden room this summer. They are doing pretty good considering it was July when planted and we are having an exceptionally HOT summer here with lots of humidity. They were on clearance and had not been watered well so the soil was pretty hard packed. But lots of new growth and blooms, so hoping all is well. The picture below was taken in late May this year. These were planted in 2006 or 2007 I believe. They are blooming now as well, but do have some long canes as I have come to expect in fall. If you would like, I can take a picture tomorrow night and post it? Let me know. The one below was taken a few days after the one above. What I really like about this rose is that the blooms and bush go right to the ground. No bare knees with this rose!
...See More
transplanting roses now in zone 5?
Q
Comments (16)
I do almost all of my transplanting in early September, including roses. As long as you keep them well-watered (we also have a fair amount of rain in September, which helps) they will be fine. Maybe I've just been lucky, but it has always worked out for me, even with Austins and Hybrid Teas. They have time to settle in and get established. Nastarana, when are your roses being delivered? I don't want to claim it would be safe to plant in October or November - I've only tried it once. A couple of years ago, I planted a potted cutting in the garden in mid-October, and in mid-November, after the ground froze, practically buried it in soil for protection...it survived. Good luck. Judith
...See More
Is it too late here Zone 5 SE Wi to transplant hosta?
Q
Comments (7)
I moved 60 over the weekend, thank goodness almost all smaller pieces. Be sure to water in well after you plant, and if you are planting smaller pieces, you might mulch once the foliage has completely died down, but it's not essential. Anything that frost heaves will probably survive the winter, and you can replant it in the spring then the ground thaws. You can also keep a bag of potting soil or regular dirt on hand in an area where it won't freeze, and if something frost heaves, scoop enough dirt over the roots to cover them, then replant in the spring. I have a problem with squirrels digging up smaller pieces of hosta in search of the walnuts that might be underneath the hostas, and I don't always find those plants until the ground is frozen, so I always have a bag of dirt/potting soil ready to come to the rescue.
...See More
Gretchen W.
9 years ago
I live in Dallas and in my garden I plant irises all the time. I don't wait for a special time. I break up the rhizomes and try not to plant to close to the other one for overcrowding purposes. Mine are in full sun and it can get pretty hot. Not right now cause we have snow on the ground,
kmburton
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks all! Whoops, meant to say Sunset Zone 5 (Western Washington), not USDA Hardiness. Not frozen, just soggy :). Moved a couple and they seem to be doing alright, but we've had one heck of a warm winter.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Late-Winter and Early-Spring Bloomers for the West

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Tired of waiting for spring to arrive? Try these drought-tolerant, flowering plants for color that starts in late winter

SPRING GARDENING 7 Great Container Plants for Early-Spring Appeal

Good things sometimes come to those who impatiently head to the nursery for plants that can take a chill

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Golden Alexanders for Early Spring Color

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Get sunny flowers while other garden growers are still asleep, with this adaptable prairie plant beloved by butterflies

WINTER GARDENING 6 Reasons I’m Not Looking Forward to Spring

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Not kicking up your heels anticipating rushes of spring color and garden catalogs? You’re not alone

WINTER GARDENING 6 Flowers for Gorgeous Winter Garden Color

Blooming beauties can be yours from January through March — just take your pick from these bulbs, shrubs and even a tree

GROUND COVERS Great Design Plant: Evergreen Candytuft for Glossy Winter Foliage

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Keep your garden green through frosty days with this woody subshrub — then delight in sparkling white flowers come spring

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Valentine Bush for Heartfelt Winter Color

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Passionate red flowers from winter through spring add gorgeous color to bare Southwest landscapes

MONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTS Your Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

By Laura Gaskill

When winter weather departs, it’s time to check for damage and prepare for warm days ahead

WINTER GARDENING Extend Your Growing Season With a Cold Frame in the Garden

By Paintbox Garden

If the sun's shining, it might be time to sow seeds under glass to transplant or harvest

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Lilac Vine for a Purple Profusion in Winter

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Grow this pretty, hardy vine on a fence or as a ground cover for blooms throughout the colder months

Sponsored