When Is The Best Time To Replant To Different Locations…
Hiroko Asked
When is the best time to replant to different locations for a peony, lily, and iris? The lily was a bulb I planted 10 years ago. They all are blooming very well.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Hiroko: When it comes to transplanting, there is always going to be a certain amount of stress involved. The idea is to create the least amount of stress on the plant as possible. Moving most perennials in the early spring is fine, and again in the fall is a good time as well. The only time you do not want to move them is during the heat of the summer and of course when the ground is frozen. Peonies can be a bit finicky when they are moved, and they actually transplant better in the fall. Since they will be flowering shortly in the garden, it may be best to wait until the fall to move your peony. As for your lily and iris, you can move them either now or in the fall. If you transplant later in the fall, you can cut back the perennials, making it easier to deal with. As you dig up the plants, try to keep as much of the root system/soil intact as possible. It is always a good idea to prepare the new holes before digging up any plant. The more time out of the soil the more likely the roots are to dry out. So get them back in the soil and watered as soon as possible. Make sure to move all these plants to a space where they will receive full to part sun with well-drained soil. Treat them like a new planting in terms of moisture and avoid fertilizing for the first year. Apply a thin layer of mulch to help keep the weeds down and the moisture in. Keep in mind that these plants may not flower as well as they normally do since their energy will be concentrated on the roots during the first year of growing in their new home.
