Transplanting Perennials: Hydrangeas, Daisies & More
From My Garden to Yours: How to Transplant Perennials and Share the Joy
There’s something magical about sharing a flower from your garden with a friend. In my last post, The Deep Joy of Sharing Your Perennials,I shared some of my favorite stories about perennials passed from neighbor to neighbor—hydrangeas, daisies, hibiscus, and coneflowers—all blooming as living reminders of friendship. Learn all you need to know about transplanting perennials!
Today, I want to give you the practical side of that story: how to actually dig up, divide, and transplant your perennials so that they thrive in a new home. Whether you’re gifting a flower to a neighbor, sending one with a friend, or simply moving a plant to a sunnier spot in your own yard, these step-by-step tips will help your garden keep blooming—and sharing—year after year.
General Tips for Transplanting Perennials
Before we get into the specifics of each flower, here are a few golden rules for success:
- Timing is everything.
The best times to transplant most perennials are early spring (before the heat of summer sets in) or early fall (when the weather is cooler, and the plant can settle in before winter). - Water before and after.
Water the plant thoroughly the day before digging, and water again after replanting to help roots adjust. - Dig wide, not deep.
Give roots plenty of space by digging a wide circle around the plant rather than straight down. - Prepare the new home first.
Have your new hole ready with loose, well-amended soil so the transplant can go in quickly and happily.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are one of my favorite perennials to share because they’re showstoppers in any yard.
- Best time to transplant: Early spring or fall. When I received my Annabelle hydrangeas from my neighbor, it was early spring. They transplanted so well! The following year they were even more amazing. Every year they get bigger!
- How to do it:
- Dig a wide circle around the base to lift the entire root ball.
- Move it immediately to its new location with morning sun and afternoon shade if possible.
- Backfill with nutrient-rich soil, water deeply, and mulch to keep moisture in.
Tip: Hydrangeas may look a little “sad” right after transplanting, but don’t worry—they usually perk up with consistent watering.
Fertilizing Hydrangeas
Why Use Holly-Tone for Hydrangeas?
Holly-Tone is an organic, slow-release fertilizer made by Espoma that’s designed for acid-loving plants like hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries.
- Key Benefits:
- Encourages healthy root development and lush blooms
- Improves soil health naturally
- Acidifies the soil slightly, which is helpful for hydrangeas (especially if you want blue flowers)
- Won’t “burn” your plants if used as directed
When to Fertilize Hydrangeas with Holly-Tone
Hydrangeas generally benefit from two feedings per year:
- Early Spring (as new growth emerges)
- This is the main feeding for strong growth and flower development.
- Mid-Summer (after the first flush of blooms)
- Gives your hydrangeas an extra boost for continuous blooming.
- Avoid late-season fertilizing after August in colder climates—this can encourage new growth that might not survive winter.
How to Apply Holly-Tone to Hydrangeas
Step 1: Check the Weather
- Choose a cool day or early morning.
- Water the plant well the day before if the soil is dry.
Step 2: Measure the Fertilizer
- 1 cup per foot of branch spread for established plants
- ½ cup for new or small plants
- Large, mature hydrangeas (over 4 ft wide) can take 2–3 cups spread evenly around the drip line
Step 3: Apply Around the Drip Line
- Sprinkle Holly-Tone around the base of the plant, about 12 inches away from the main stem—avoid piling it directly on the crown.
- Work it lightly into the top inch of soil if possible.
Step 4: Water Well
- Watering activates the slow-release nutrients and helps them soak into the root zone.
When & How to Fertilize Hydrangea PDF
If you need more information on the different types of hydrangeas check out this blog post:
Types of Hydrangea Bushes (with Pictures): Identification and Growing Guide
Extra Tips for Success
- For Blue Blooms: Holly-Tone helps maintain slightly acidic soil, which encourages blue hydrangea flowers.
- For Pink Blooms: If you prefer pink flowers, consider using a lime supplement to raise soil pH instead.
- Pair with Mulch: A 2–3 inch layer of mulch will help retain moisture and support healthy roots.
Sample Fertilizing Schedule
- March/April: 1st feeding with Holly-Tone
- June/July: 2nd feeding with Holly-Tone
- Stop after August to prevent tender new growth before frost
Daisies (Shasta or Other Varieties)
Daisies are cheerful, resilient, and multiply easily—perfect for gifting! These flowers will spread prolifically and may need to be thinned out after a couple of years. [Hint-if you clip the dead flowers off new ones will reappear lengthening the time your daisies bloom.]
- Best time to transplant: Early spring or fall
- How to do it:
- Dig up the clump and gently pull it apart into smaller sections with roots attached.
- Replant each division 12–18 inches apart to give them room to grow.
- Water well and watch them settle in—they’re quick to thrive!
Hibiscus
Hibiscus might be the most dramatic bloom in the garden, but it requires a gentle touch.
- Best time to transplant: Spring, after all danger of frost
- How to do it:
- Lift the plant carefully—hibiscus roots can be sensitive.
- Choose a full sun spot with rich, well-draining soil.
- Water regularly during the first few weeks to help it adjust.
Tip: Hibiscus takes a little patience to establish, but once it does, it rewards you with breathtaking blooms.
Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are hardy, pollinator-friendly, and practically beg to be shared.
- Best time to transplant these perennials: Spring or fall
- How to do it:
- Dig around the entire clump and gently lift it out.
- Divide into smaller sections if needed.
- Plant in full sun and water until new growth appears.
Note: Watch for rabbits—they love coneflowers as much as we do!
Coneflowers don’t stand a chance in my yard (trust me I’ve tried multiple times). I plant them, and the bunnies say, “Thanks for the snack!” I’m beginning to think there’s a bunny condo complex under my deck…🤪
Clematis
Clematis is a stunning climbing perennial that rewards you with gorgeous blooms, but it’s a little more delicate than some of the other perennials in your garden. With careful handling, you can successfully transplant or share it with a friend.
- Best time to transplant: Early spring (just as new growth begins) or early fall (when the plant is going dormant)
- How to do it:
- Prep the new spot first—clematis likes its roots shaded and cool, but its vines in the sun. Choose a spot near a trellis, arbor, or fence for support.
- Dig deep and wide to get as much of the root system as possible, since clematis roots are long and somewhat fragile.
- Lift carefully and replant quickly at the same depth it was growing before. Avoid burying the crown too deep.
- Water thoroughly and add mulch around the base to keep the roots cool.
Tip: Consider trimming back the top growth slightly after transplanting these perennials to help the roots focus on settling in.
Bonus Tips for Sharing Your Garden
- Label gifted plants. A little tag with the plant name (and maybe a bloom photo!) is so helpful for your friend.
- Share the story. Tell them where it came from and why it’s special—this is the heart of a perennial gift.
- Give care instructions. A note with sunlight and watering needs can make all the difference.
Closing Thought
Every flower you share carries a story. As it takes root in a new yard, it becomes more than a plant—it’s a connection, a reminder of friendship, and a tiny piece of your heart that keeps blooming year after year.
If you haven’t read the first post in this series about sharing your perennials, you can find it here: [The Deep Joy of Sharing Your Perennials]
And maybe this fall, grab a shovel, dig up a little joy, and gift a piece of your garden to someone you love. 🌿💛🥰
RELATED POSTS:
