Move plants now to fix mistakes in landscaping

Nobody is perfect, and if you are like me, you have made some landscaping mistakes along the way. We put a shrub in what we think is a perfect spot, only to realize a few years later that it's completely wrong. Fortunately, winter is a great time to correct these mistakes.

January and February are good times to move plants. If you do it right, there is no reason they shouldn't thrive in a new spot. You'll still be able to enjoy them, and you can put a more appropriate plant in that spot.

When moving plants, you'll be cutting off a large portion of the roots, so you'll have to prune back the top, too, to compensate. You might need to remove one-third or more of the canopy.

If you remove half or more of the canopy and have to cut back large stems, you might as well prune the plant all the way to the ground. Otherwise, it might look like a shrub on legs when it begins growing this spring.

Most broad-leaf shrubs can be severely pruned, but never cut back junipers, pines, spruce or other conifers because they won't form new growth when they're cut back to old wood.

Boxwoods are slow to re-grow after severe pruning, especially English, so prune them conservatively when you move them.

If you can avoid pruning back large, spring-flowering shrubs such as azaleas when you transplant them, they will still flower in the spring. Then you can reshape them with pruning after they bloom.

When you dig up a large shrub, save as many roots as you can. Most of the roots are in the top 12 inches of the soil. It's important to get as much of the surface roots as you can.

As a rule, the width of the root ball should be 12 inches plus an extra 2 inches for each foot of height above 2 feet. In other words, a shrub 6 feet tall would have a root ball at least 20 inches wide - 4 (feet) times 2 inches plus 12 inches.

Carefully cut underneath the ball and place a piece of cloth, such as burlap, under it. If the shrub is large, it might take two people to carry it to its new location.

When transplanting, time is critical. Before you dig up the plant, dig the new hole so there is no time delay in getting it to its new home. Roots die quickly when exposed to sun and air. Getting them in the ground as quickly as possible will help survival. Make certain the shrub is planted at the same level, and no deeper than it was growing in the previous location.

As soon as you plant it, water it thoroughly. That should be all you have to do.

Don't completely forget about the plant, however. You could still lose it if we have a period without rain during the next few weeks. This doesn't happen often during the winter, but I have learned that anything is possible.

Just don't let the root system dry out. You might need to water it from time to time. Keep the roots moist but not wet, and it should do fine. During the winter months with an average soil, you might need to water it every 10 days or so in the absence of rain.

Do not water it every day or several days during the week like I hear about from so many people. If you do that you are sure to kill it.

Pay special attention to the watering needs this summer. Hand-water it and don't expect a sprinkler to give to the thorough drenching it probably will need from time to time.

SID MULLIS IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA EXTENSION SERVICE OFFICE IN RICHMOND COUNTY. CALL 821-2349, OR SEND E-MAIL TO SMULLIS@UGA.EDU.