moving box spheres to pots

rdunleavey · July 2018

Hi

Looking for some advice, I tried searching the internet but can't find an answer.

I am having my front garden re-modeled to allow for a bit more off-road parking space.

There are 5 mature ball-shaped box bush plants, which I would like to either transplant in to large pots permanently, or temporarily so that I can re-plant them in the back garden at some point in the future

Can anyone tell be if it's possible to do this without killing them, and if so what would be the best process to follow, i.e how best to go about digging them up and what soil/compost etc should I use in the pots to give them the best chance of survival.

Any guidance would be gratefully received.

Regards

Rob

Fairygirl · July 2018

Hi Rob - I don't grow them but, the procedure would be the same as most shrubs. Thoroughly watered before digging out [not easy at the moment!] get as big a rootball as possible, then replant and water thoroughly. You would also prune back - you can prune the roots a bit too - and use a soil based medium , or even just your own garden soil if it's decent. They're generally pretty tough plants.
It's helpful if you have the site prepped well before you move them too. Plants hardly notice being shifted if you do that. If you're putting them into pots, get one appropriate to the size of the plant if you can. Keep them in a shady spot until they settle in too, and keep an eye on them - especially with watering. Depending on what your own climate and conditions are like, you may need to give them a bit of tlc if you prune them, but I think they'd be fine if you shift them now. A liquid seaweed feed for the foliage will also be good once they settle in.
What sort of size are they?

rdunleavey · July 2018

Hi Fairygirl

Thanks for you advice, it's greatly appreciated.

They are around 3 foot in diameter.

Regards

Rob

Hostafan1 · July 2018

rdunleavey said:

Hi Fairygirl

Thanks for you advice, it's greatly appreciated.

They are around 3 foot in diameter.

Regards

Rob

IMHO at that size, I think you're more likely to lose them , than to save them .
No harm in trying though as they have to be moved anyway.

punkdoc · July 2018

Agree with fg., but Hosta is also right. They are big plants, will need big pots and lots of cosseting.

Fairygirl · July 2018

Aye - a bit big.
Could they be pruned right back, including roots, boys? I've no experience of any at that size - not moving them anyway.
If they have to be moved, they have to be moved. They might turn up their toes, but one way or another, they need to come out, so it's worth a shot.

Lizzie27 · July 2018

If they're 3ft round, getting them up in the first place won't be easy. You would need to really soak them the night before trying, dig a big circle around them and then try levering the rootball out - a mattock and big steel pole thingy (I've forgotten the name) might help. Or even, get them scooped up by the mini-digger if you're having one.

It will probably need two of you to lift onto a taupaulin, or into a big pot/half barrel. Is it possible for you to wait until we've had some rain? Personally I would only risk a light trim, not a hard prune as that might stress the plant even more. I did it once, but never again!

Fairygirl · July 2018

I wondered about the digger too Lizzie!
I know you can root prune certain shrubs by digging vertically round the base [nearer the main stem ] thereby severing the roots, and then leaving for a little while for the plant to get accustomed, before digging them out. Not sure if you prune first or after though.
I think the weather conditions will make it even more difficult. If they could be left until September or so, it could be easier, but I'm guessing it's not an option.

moving box spheres to pots

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