Question
I'm redesigning my garden area and would like to know when would be a good time to transplant and established rose bush and a hydrangea in central Missouri.

Answer
Hello Debi

The best time to transplant established shrubs is in the fall and before you start to get frost.  Right now is a good time as the soil is still warm, which will give the plants a chance to get their roots down before it gets too cold.

It is important that you don't transplant the rose into an area where roses have been planted and dug up before.  There is a condition called 'rose sickness' which seems to strike the plant down if other roses have been in the same position before - no-one seems to know why!

If you need information on how to transplant shrubs, please me know.