Question
QUESTION: how an when do i transfer my Buddlejas to my new garden.

ANSWER: Dear Tracy

Thank you for your question.

I need a bit of information from you before I can fully answer your question:

You say you want to transfer buddlejas to a new garden - are you moving established plants from one piece of ground to another, or are the plants presently growing in a pot?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: they are established plants in full flower and about 7 to 8 foot tall.


Answer
Hello again Tracy

Thank you for getting back to me.

Transplanting any shrub this big would be a major undertaking - and very hard work!

If you decide to go ahead the Fall is the time to do it.  Here's how:

Cut off about 1/3 of the top growth (to make the plant easier to handle)

You must dig out each plant with as much root ball intact as possible.  To to this dig around the plant about 2 to 2 and a half feet away from the main stem(s).  Work your spade under the plant as far down as you can, severing any roots you can't dig up.  Rock the plant to one side.

Roll up a tarpaulin leaving about 2 feet unrolled and push the rolled up part as far under the plant as possible.  Rock the plant back onto the tarp and then over to the opposite side.


Unroll the tarp so that the plant is sitting in the middle of it.  This is where you will need the help of a couple of strong people!  You have to carry (or drag) the plant to either its new home or to transportation to get it there!

Dig a hole bigger than the rootball, loosen the soil in the bottom of the hole and put in some granular general fertilizer and mix it in.

Put the plant in the hole and then do the reverse of the digging-up technique.

Back-fill the planting hole, firming the plant in with your heel as you go.  Once the shrub is planted give it plenty of water.  During its first growing season in its new home make sure that it does not dry out by watering 2 or 3 times a week. After the first year it should be able to look after itself.

Good luck!