From moving house to the (all too understandable) urge to rearrange your flower beds, there are many reasons why you might need to relocate a plant. Some varieties, however, simply don't like to be disturbed once they've put down roots – try moving them anyway, and you might cause some serious damage.
The root of the problem is often, ironically, the plant's roots. Some flowers and shrubs develop deep root systems that can snap if they're dug up, while others have particularly delicate ones that are are easily damaged or disturbed. The result can be transplant shock, stunted growth and, in some cases, the loss of the plant altogether.
That's why it pays to know which plants are true homebodies before you put them in the ground. We asked a horticulture expert which British garden favourites are best left alone once established and – and, if moving them is unavoidable, how to transplant while causing as little damage as possible.
1. Coneflowers
With their picture-book shape, colourful petals and prominent cones beloved by pollinators, coneflowers – also known as echinaceas – are quintessential cottage garden staples. They're also wildflowers, but despite their reputation for being tough as nails, coneflowers can respond badly to being moved.
"Coneflowers have deep taproots that do not like being dug up or disturbed. When you try to dig up and move coneflowers, you can cut off some of their outer roots," explains Richard Barker, horticultural expert at LBS Horticulture.
"As a result of this, the leaves and stems of the plant can droop and begin to turn yellow as the now smaller root system can struggle to supply the plant with enough water. Due to the plant using its energy to attempt to fix its roots, active buds or flowers may dry up and die."
Coneflowers need full sun and well-draining soil to bloom at their best, so choose a spot that provides both from the get-go. If you do need to move them, the best time is early spring, just as new green shoots begin to appear.
"Dig a wide circle around the plant, keeping a large chunk of soil around the roots. Trim away any heavy flowers or extra stems, as this will reduce the stress on the roots. After replanting, make sure to water the plant well, and keep its soil moist while it recovers," Richard says.
2. Peonies
Peonies are famously fussy plants that can take years to reach full maturity. Unless you want to extend that waiting time, these delicate flowers are best left alone once planted.
"Although peonies can be moved successfully, it can often cause transplant shock and this can make the plant skip flowering for a year or two," says Richard. "This is usually temporary, as the plant uses its energy to regrow roots instead of flowers."
Peonies thrive in full sun and should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. If yours isn't getting enough and you'd like to move it to a better spot, never do so while it is actively growing or flowering. "This will cause severe stress that can kill the plant," warns the expert.
The best time to attempt a relocation is autumn, once the foliage has died back. "You also need to avoid replanting too deep after moving. If the root eyes are too deep, this will stop the plant from flowering properly," says Richard. "The root eyes should be an inch or two below the surface of the soil."
3. Lavender
This Mediterranean favourite may be tough above ground, defying off heat and drought, but below the surface it's a different story. "Lavender does not like to be moved as it has brittle, woody roots and a sensitive taproot," explains Richard.
"After moving, the leaves can droop or look dry as the disturbed roots may be struggling to take up water. If too many of the roots break or the plant is moved in very hot weather, parts of the plant or the entire bush can turn brittle and die."
Lavender loves the sun, and if you have to move it, Richard recommends waiting until spring or autumn, when conditions are cooler and the plant is dormant. This gives the plant the best chance of growing new roots after being transplanted.
Age matters, too. Very mature lavender plants are particularly poor candidates for relocation. "Lavender plants that are over five years old should not be moved, as they have deep, rigid root systems that are unlikely to survive being relocated."
4. Rosemary
Rosemary and lavender share many qualities: both are Mediterranean shrubs, both are highly fragrant and both hate being transplanted.
"Moving an established rosemary plant is not recommended as it has sensitive, delicate roots that do not handle being disturbed well and can be easily damaged when dug up. This causes the plant to go into shock, leading to it dropping its needles and potentially dying if it struggles to absorb water and nutrients in its new location," says Richard.
Plant rosemary in well-draining soil where it will receive at least six hours of full sun a day. If a relocation is unavoidable, preserving as much of the root system as possible is key.
"If you must move rosemary, dig widely and deeply around the plant so that you dig up as much of the root ball as possible to minimise the damage to the roots. Soaking the soil deeply the day before you dig the plant up can ensure that the root ball remains hydrated and solid, and try to keep as much of the original soil as possible attached to the roots."
5. Beans
Beans also deserve a spot on the list of plants best left where they are – not least because moving them could cost you your harvest. "Moving bean plants causes severe root disturbance, and this can cause transplant shock that wilts leaves, stalls growth or potentially even kills the plant," says Richard.
"Bean plants often have delicate roots, and these can break easily when removed from the soil. Even if the plant does manage to recover from being moved, this can still delay growth and crop production."
For that reason, it's best to sow beans directly into their final position, choosing a spot with fertile, well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight. If moving a bean plant really can't be avoided, do it while the plant is still young and before it has formed any full leaves.
"Dig deeply and widely around the root ball to keep it intact, and try to transfer the entire clump of soil without touching or breaking the roots. Water plants well after moving, keep the soil moist, and do not fertilise plants until new growth emerges."
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Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
