Hi - this is my first post as have only recently got back into gardening! One of my first shrub plantings (Mock Orange) is now in the wrong place as is likely to grow too big for the border - is it OK to move it now?
Hi and welcome Barnstar. Firstly depending where you are the Philadelphus will be coming into flower about now (mine is anyway and I am in the North West). If you can wait until after the flowering is over and then cut back the top growth a bit then you should be able to dig it out and move it without too much stress to the plant. Regarding the 'growing too big for the border', a Philadelphus can be kept fairly short. I prune mine every year after it flowers.
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How old is it? if its recently planted, lift with a big root ball and soak in well.
If older, I would move it after all the leaves have fallen. I would also take a few cuttings off of non flowering shoots now, just in case it dies after moving.
It's always best to move shrubs when they are dormant as this allows the roots time to recover and grow again without the stress of maintaining foliage.
Let your mock orange flower this year then cut it back as soon as it finishes in order to reduce its size and also encourage the new stems that will flower next year. Move it after the leaves gave dropped.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
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Hi and welcome Barnstar. Firstly depending where you are the Philadelphus will be coming into flower about now (mine is anyway and I am in the North West). If you can wait until after the flowering is over and then cut back the top growth a bit then you should be able to dig it out and move it without too much stress to the plant. Regarding the 'growing too big for the border', a Philadelphus can be kept fairly short. I prune mine every year after it flowers.
How old is it? if its recently planted, lift with a big root ball and soak in well.
If older, I would move it after all the leaves have fallen. I would also take a few cuttings off of non flowering shoots now, just in case it dies after moving.
Thanks very much for the advice, which I shall heed! No doubt will be back with more queries in future.
It's always best to move shrubs when they are dormant as this allows the roots time to recover and grow again without the stress of maintaining foliage.
Let your mock orange flower this year then cut it back as soon as it finishes in order to reduce its size and also encourage the new stems that will flower next year. Move it after the leaves gave dropped.