Transplanting Rose of Sharon ... ?

Question

I have a "green thumb"; I am good with most plants. However, I never had any luck when it comes to transplanting Rose Of Sharon bushes.

My parents (who live in a rural area) have hundreds of 6 to 12 inch seedlings in their yard, and I plan to take 5 to 10 for transplanting into my small back yard here in the city.

Any suggestions for transporting? I'm not that far from my parents, but it still takes me 35 minutes one way. How much soil should I take - if any - from around the roots?

Any suggestions for transplantation? How much should I water them in the first few days afterwards? Should I plant them in a sunny location or partial sun? Should I cover them (considering that I live in the city, we have ALOT of rabbits and squirrels that get into EVERYTHING)?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Answer 1

We have lots of them too when they grow where we don't want them we move them.

This time of year I don't do any transplanting I like to wait until fall or spring, but if you keep an eye on it, it may be OK.

You might try to pick plants that are larger and have a better root system. Take as much soil with them as possible. I would water well a couple of hours before you dig. Get an old cloth and set on the ground next to the plant, dig as much of the root ball as possible then rap it in the cloth, so you don't lose any of the dirt and it is easier to transport to your yard and plant. It is best that you don't let them dry out, water at least a couple times a week.

We never fertilize ours but once transplanted you can use miracle - gro it is suppose to help with transplant shock.

We have ours in shade and full sun, I wouldn't put them in deep shade.

We have squirrels and rabbits as far a I can tell they don't bother them.

Hope this is helpful, good luck.

Answer 2

take a towel with you with water and put the roots of the plants in the moist towel. it will keep your plants fresh for about 9 hours. cover them until it grows a little

Answer 3

As long as you have at least a gallon of soil,you should be fine.A rose of sharon is one tough plant.I have removed some that were 12 feet tall and we put them in the ground in our holding area and they grew just fine.Rabbits do not eat them.Just add some bone meal to the new holes and they will be fine.

Answer 4

I would dig them up with dirt around them.Put each one in a gallon size garden container  and add some water. Leave them alone for a month or so.They will be in shock from transplanting them. Give then a little miracle gro and water every day. They like and need sun.Just be sure the soil is med wet when watering .Sometimes they will not survive becuse they are suckers and just will not survive. I bought mine for $2.00 at the end of the season last year and they are 2 ft. tall. They will take off next year as they are really established.I love rose of Sharons.They make a good background and add privacy. You can shape them if you want to in the spring to keep a nice shape.

Answer 5

Transplanting is best done while the plants are dormant.  If you wait until after the first hard frost to dig up and relocate a plant, you'll have much better luck.   If roots are severed, the plant won't even notice as long as it is dormant.

When you replant, just fill in the hole with good, rich soil.  Add some compost if you have it.  Make sure to plant the bush at the same level it was before.    

Rose of Sharon like full sun but they'll tolerate some shade.  I don't think rabbits are much interested in these plants, but it wouldn't hurt to cage or wrap the trunk for the first winter.  Squirrels have no interest in these plants.

Don't get too anxious to see new growth next spring.  Rose of Sharon are very late starters.

Answer 6

Part sun..water daily for a few weeks.  I recently transplanted about 10 of them and rabbits and squirrels don;t tough them.