
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 26, 1990                   TAG: 9004250230
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV10   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Philip K. Blevins
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WHEN LITTLE SHRUBS GET TOO BIG, DON'T DESPAIR; JUST REPLANT 'EM

New River Valley residents occasionally have shrubs that at one time seemed perfect for their landscape. Those shrubs that looked so good in front of the window or porch are now too big for where you put them and too healthy and pretty to destroy.

You don't have to live with your mistakes. Just move them to a more appropriate place. This will allow you to put smaller, more appropriate plants in the places where the big shrubs have overgrown.

Recent research indicates you don't have to cut back the top of the shrub when you move it. It will need a good canopy of leaves to manufacture food to help rebuild the root system.

Try to save as many roots as possible when digging up a large shrub. The best way is to dig a trench around the plant with a shovel, leaving a ball of earth around the root system. Carefully cut underneath the ball and place a piece of cloth, such as burlap, under it. Two people can carry the shrub by lifting the four corners of the burlap.

Once you have dug it up, transplant the shrub as quickly as possible.

A key to its survival is to plant it at the same depth from which you just removed it. It should be watered thoroughly as soon as it is planted. That should be all you have to do, but don't forget about the plant. If you have a long period with no rain after planting, you may need to water from time to time.

Keep the roots moist but not wet and it should do fine.

by CNB