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Moving Euphorbia

WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
in Problem solving
Morning,

Last year spring, I bought some small, cheap Euphorbia Ascot rainbow and they have grown too large for the position.

Is it possible to dig these up and pop them somewhere more suitable?

 Thanks.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - is the short answer  :)

    Just be careful that you don't break any stems and get the latex/sap on your skin. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Be extremely careful moving Euphorbia characias (of which Ascot Rainbow is a form). The rootball is very weak, and typically all the soil and fine roots will come away leaving a sort of stunted carrot of a root. Try and make your planting holes in advance, and try and carry the roots in tact within a spadeful of earth when you transplant them.

    If things don't go according to plan, just tamp it into the earth as best you can and water it copiously for the next week or so, and you may need to temporarily stake it to hold it upright.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Ok, thanks. I actually moved them earlier after Fairygirl comment. The rootball seemed fairly intact (certainly more than just a stunted carrot) and I did already have the holes ready. 

    If it starts to need staking, is that a bad sign?
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    That's a very useful tip for that species @Loxley. (The common species, E. amygdaloides var. robbiae is more forgiving - that's why I like it for easy ground cover!)
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    If you got a decent rootball you should be fine @Wildlifelover

    I was speaking from experience of moving established plants, where I ended up with roots that were a bit too small to physically support the plant.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    These were only planted as small plants this time last year so I don't think they can be classed as established? I couldn't see any roots in the ground where I have dug them out so hopefully I got most of the rootball. 
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