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Moving Heleniums in the Autumn

Bright starBright star Posts: 1,153
edited August 2019 in Plants
Has anyone moved Helenium plants in the autumn and they have survived? 
I would like to reorganise a flower bed in the autumn when they have finished flowering and move them into another area of the garden. Information on the web says Heleniums are best moved  and divided in the spring when they are actively growing. The weather is quite mild in the winter where I live. I just want to move the plants not divide them. Should I chance it?
Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    If moving established clumps, rather than dividing, I would risk it; but I would do it in early autumn giving them a chance to establish before they go dormant, and keep the rootballs as intact as possible. If I was on especially heavy soil I might not risk it though.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,153
    Thanks for that WillDB, I’ve only just discovered Heleniums and this particular variety is a tall one so looks a bit odd where it is, should have checked the label properly. Great plants though, they’ve been covered in bees and hover flies. 
    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • lesleybarrettlesleybarrett Posts: 2
    I have exactly the same problem, I need to move one deeper into the border. Did moving it in autumn work for you?
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I have moved them in the Autumn as @Loxley has said they need time to put their roots down and grow a littlebefore the winter. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I have moved them at this time of year, but l would do it before the end of September @lesleybarrett , perhaps earlier depending whereabouts you are in the country. 
    I get the new planting hole dug out and ready, allowing more room than l think l will need. It's easier to fill in rather than faff about digging out more.
     Make sure you get as much of the rootball as possible and move them so quickly that they don't even realise that they've been moved  :)
  • lesleybarrettlesleybarrett Posts: 2
    Ok, they are still flowering. I was going to leave them till finished, cut them down and then move them. They are as tall as me, so might be tricky to move in full bloom.
    I can leave till Spring if that's better. I'm in the North of England. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I would cut them back before moving them, if you look at the base of the plants they should be showing some new green growth, this is next years.They also flower at different times depending on which one you grow yours is obviously later. Hate to be crowded out by other plants. Easy to split but not into very small pieces or they will take time to establish. I would describe them as tough assuming soil is retentive. However I am further south than you.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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