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Temporarily Transplanting Trillium

6 years ago

Hi, I have trillium that needs to be moved because of construction. Once the construction is over, I’d like to replant it close to the same spot. What’s the best way to dig it up and keep it safe until I can plant it again? Thanks for any suggestions!

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Comments (6)

Embothrium
6 years ago
Try to get a solid soil ball without disturbing the roots. You may find the rootstock is way down there.

The main issue will be the timing, presumably the top is out of the ground at this time - the longer you can wait after flowering has occurred the better.
jodeby
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks, I probably have 2-4 weeks before I need to dig them up. They’re blooming now. Do you think I could put the big soil ball into a container until I can plant them again?
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It may not be a climber. My Aunt has had a rose for about 60 years, that we think is Chrysler Imperial, and not the climber, that is easily that big. It's a good 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide every summer. It has the same enormously thick canes at the bottom too. In a protected spot where it gets little winter die back and very little pruning I think a lot of HTs would get that large with time. And being in CA and not having to worry about winter I think that could happen even quicker for your rose. It's just very old and very BIG! Don't worry about trying to get ALL of the root ball. You won't. There's always some root ball loss when you transplant a rose. Get as large a ball as you can handle and pot and it should be OK. The key is the water afterwards. Keep it consistently moist, but not drowning wet, and don't fertilize it at all until you see good new growth on it. If it wilts or shows any transplant shock move it to a partially shady spot or put some shade over it during the hottest part of the day. If it's very hot you might want to give it a shower top to bottom to cool it and keep the leaves moist. Keeping it hydrated is going to be the most important thing to keeping it alive. As an insurance, and since you might have to cut it back some anyway, you might want to think about rooting some cuttings from it as well. Start several so you'll have a better chance of success.
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I have transplanted many trilliums and they do very well. I have transplanted them in a shovel full of dirt and they never knew they had moved. I have even unintentionally bare rooted them and then replanted them. Still ok, but drooped a bit. You should not have a problem. Do it when you can, enjoy the blooms first. Replant them at the same depth in which you found them.
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woodnative
6 years ago
You could. As above try to get as much undisturbed soil around them as possible. You could put them in large pots or maybe easier is to find an area where you could heal them in a for a while. YOu could even just partially plant the soil balls in the ground and surround the soil with a lot of fine mulch. Make sure they don't dry out and don't move them to drastically different conditions........a spot protected from the wind and afternoon sun would be best. How long until you think you will be able to replant them in a permanent location?
abrahamx
6 years ago
I have thousands of these in my yard. Above info all good. I have transplanted to may peoples yards. I just get a spade and a good bunch of undisturbed soil and move it where ever. they are very tough so dont fret to much.
jodeby
6 years ago
Thanks for all the great advice. I'm going to move them with nice big soil balls. Hopefully they won't even know they've moved!
User
6 years ago
You may know this, but trilliums often look peaked and then go dormant and disappear in mid summer. Not to worry, it will be back next spring.

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