Forsythia

Q. I have a couple of small but established forsythia plants that I want to move. Is there a certain time of season here in PA. that this should be done or can I do it anytime?

A. Forsythia and all other spring-flowering bushes should be transplanted in the fall. You want to give the bush a little time to adjust to the move prior to the cold weather ahead especially in your zone. I prefer to have you wait a year after doing a couple procedures below but if you really must move it then do so but the bush may be rather shocked since it will not have had time to form much new roots.

In anticipation of such a move you can root prune the shrub this year by digging a narrow trench a couple of feet from the base of the plant. This cuts the roots. Then refill the trench with a good compost and soil mixture. This provides a good medium for growth of new roots from the cut roots. When you transplant the shrub dig it just outside this area of improved soil so that you have new young vigorous roots with the transplanted shrub. As you dig the trench remember that this is where you will dig the shrub next year and the bigger the root ball the better it is for the plant but the more difficult it is for you to move it. A compromise may be in order.

Finally to be practical if it is essential to move the shrub now you can move it. There will be greater transplant shock. With such the shrub will be slower to establish in a new location and take longer to become the beautiful shrub that it is capable of becoming in a large enough area. Greater transplant shock increases the chance that the shrub will die. If it is necessary to move it now use good planting techniques and be sure to provide adequate water with a brief drying period between irrigations.