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Is it okay to move a mature 2M wifely now?

AlchemistAlchemist Posts: 273
in Problem solving
Dear All, I’m building a patio at the back of our garden, where the previous owners had dumped a ton or two of shingles resembling a ski slope.

On it there is a mature variegated wigela which I like and would like to save it if possible. Keeping it there is not an option as a sub-base needs to be laid followed by concrete on top. 

Is it okay to move it now. And is there anything I should be shouldn’t be doing? Many thanks. 

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Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    You will probably lose it. Too big to move unless you have a huge rootball with it. Take cuttings or buy a new one.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Well, I've just moved a Potentilla 'Abbotswood' ready for fencing work, so I don't see why not. I dug a new hole, poured in a can of water and when that soaked in, mixed the soil with some bagged manure and J.I.3 and replanted the Potentilla, watering it well in again (soil was very dry).  It will be good if it survives, but needs must.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    You can give it a try if you really want to, the worst that will happen is that it will die !
    Make sure you dig as large a rootball round it as you can, also prune it as far back as you dare. Make sure that the hole you're moving it to is ready for it, and over estimate the size of hole you'll need. Get a large tarpaulin or similar and at least one helper. Get it out of the ground and onto the tarpaulin,  drag it to it's new location and plant it to the same depth as the original hole. Keep well watered and your fingers crossed! 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Nothing to lose by trying. Take as much root as poss, give it a hard prune, and water the heck out of it. It needs to be sat in a puddle when you initially water it in (make a "moat").
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    Take some cuttings before moving it. There very easy to grow from cuttings

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    I moved a large one when we moved here - cut it right down, dug up what I could and stuck it in a new hole. It survived and flowered well for many years until the honey fungus got it. Not much in the way of aftercare, though we do have a high rainfall (usually)!
  • AlchemistAlchemist Posts: 273
    Many thanks all. As suggested, I’ll try taking as big a root ball as possible. Understand this might die on me  will be sad to see it go. My reason for trying to save it is because it adds quite a bit of privacy and is airy.  I just can’t think of a tree or a shrub that I can buy at this size and stays there without getting too big. 

    Good point regarding cuttings too in the midst of things I would have forgotten. 

    @lizzie27 Can I ask how old your potentilla is and it’s looking okay. Mine is at least over 10 years old!

    thanks all. 
  • AlchemistAlchemist Posts: 273
    @Buttercupdays this is looking promising. Yours came in when I was typing. When you say cut it down, do you mean coppicing? And was it a wigela that you moved? Thanks. 
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    When I saw the topic title I thought you were attempting to get rid of your 6' 6" partner!  Dangers of predictive text I guess. :D
  • AlchemistAlchemist Posts: 273
     @KT Didn’t notice till you pointed out. 😂🤣
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