There are gardeners who meticulously plan the location of each plant for a succession of blooms and grouping of colors. Then there are gardeners like me that wander around with a a tray of plants and try to read the landscape for location. My lack of planning has led to much needless labor. It is a trivial task to move a perennial flower, but what do you do with a ten year old shrub that is seven feet tall?
About 25 years ago I successfully transplanted a fairly large apple tree. It was exhausting. I had to free the roots that had wrapped themselves around every rock that the ice age had brought to New Hampshire. I accomplished that task while the tree was still dormant, after soaking the root ball in water to extricate it. Standing in a cold puddle, I vowed to never do it again.
But I loved this Azalea. The flowers are florescent and come early in the spring just as the leaves begin to emerge. So even though I am now in my seventies I got a pry bar, and a shovel an set to work.
It helped a bit that the plant was located on a hill. I could dig under it and pull it down the slope with the help of gravity.
I was pleased that I could keep the root ball intact, but it was too heavy to lift, so I dragged it to a suitable location. I would wait a while before I planted it, not fully convinced that this would be the right place. To protect the roots I wrapped them in a blanket and watered it daily.
The weather remained cool for some time allowing the shrub to remain dormant until the middle of May. The flowers emerge before the leaves which adds to the drama of the display. It is located just outside our kitchen window and I’m watching gold finches and other birds use it to perch as they await their turn at the feeder. A chipmunk is also happy about its appearance.
I won’t be fully comfortable with the transplantation until next year, but it seems to off to a good start.
Copyediting (and pet peeve) time: the past tense of lead is led. My students, who spell “definitely” as “defiantly,” don’t know any better, but you went through school when we were taught better than that. For shame!
On another note, I didn’t know that azalea would survive transplanting, but perhaps that’s an old husband’s tale.
Thanks for finding that. Fixed! I dug it out before the buds swelled. I also cut off some of the top growth. It is in full bloom now and I’m very pleased since it is easily 7 feet in height. I also transplanted a holly shrub. That had no root ball, but holly is easy to root. The test will be seeing how they do next year.
That’s why instead of buying a racy sports car, or a boat, I purchased a John Deere Diesel AWD Tractor with a bucket and back hoe. I’m AMAZED at how many ways it makes taking care of the property around my house the the road I live on so much easier.
I use the bucket often as a wheelbarrow. Bought it with 0% financing for 60 Months so technically the bank owns it. But it’s more than half mine at this point!!!
I was talking to a friend today who runs a nursery. He was bragging about all the cool stuff he can do with his Kubota tractor. I’ll admit to being a tad jealous. However I can envision hitting the wrong lever and running a bucket through a wall.
John…..actually you have to worry more about what’s behind you than in front of you. I have a back hoe on the back , or, when that’s not on a York Rake to grade and spread processed stone around the driveway and road. I live on about a little over a 1/3 of a mile dirt road that is private and we have to take care of it. There are 5 houses and we all chip in for buying the processed stone.
Back to what’s behind you. So far I’ve turned too sharply twice forgetting there’s just as much stuff behind you as in front of you. Took out the edge of a nice stone wall one time and ripped a trim board off the corner of the house another time.
It’s best if your doing front stuff to not have anything on the back. Mine is a John Deere and they make taking the implements on and off pretty easy. The front bucket comes off by flipping up two levers and you then back away from it, and then disconnect the hydraulic hoses. The back hoe is a bit more complicated.
It’s been a lot of fun using it and it does save a ton of time. My days of spreading stone on the driveway and road by the hand shovel full are over!!
Considering that I once backed into my well pipe with a truck, it is better that I stay away from mechanized utility vehicles. If we get a heavy snow I pay my neighbor to clear my driveway. He comes with his tractor with the snow thrower and knocks it off in no time.
Mom’s beautiful coral/peach azalea was on the eastern corner of her house, totally hidden by a large rhododendron – a location that you had to take a special walk to see. Last year when a landscaper was there with heavy equipment he neatly dug a new hole and snip/snap moved that azalea. I put in good soil and was attentive to watering and it looked great throughout the season. This year – all dead sticks- a sorry sight.
Although I am very happy with seeing it blossom this year, the true test will happen next spring. This is a deciduous variety which is much better suited to our New Hampshire environment. I believe Mom’s was one of those they sell in the big box stores. Considering the amount of labor I put into this I’ll be heartbroken if it doesn’t survive.