Q.Transplants
We are having a privacy fence installed and I want to move some plants from other parts of our yard in front of the fence. Is it safe to move perrenials at this time of year? For example, lavender, Black-eyed Susan, astilbe and some bulbs – lilies and gladioli? Thanks
During the heat of summer is the most stressful time to move plants, from the plants point of view. If any of your plants is now in a pot, transplanting is simpler and OK. Water when the soil is dry, mulch and provide shade for several days as the roots develop in their new home. If you are digging plants from the ground, you will inevitably cut some of the feeder roots. To compensate, cut the topgrowth by at least a third, more if the plant wilts badly. Unless the bloom is over, I would not transplant the bulbs. Even so, you risk losing vigor since the bulb will not be able to renew itself as well if transplanted now. Remember that lavender likes sun but looser soil and not as much water as the others you mention. All except astilbe like full sun, 6+ hrs of direct sunlight daily. Astilbe likes protection from afternoon sun and will often develop brown edges, if not go dormant, in hot, full sun.
