Moving a Wisteria and Camelia

Unclebob101

Hi guys

See image of 2 Camelias and a Wisteria. We are extending the house and need to move them. Any recommendations on when (house build commences late March 2019) and what kind of new positioning/soil would suit them? They don't need to stay together.

Thanks for your wisdom!

Lizzie27

Unfortunately I think your camelia (if it's the big one on the corner) is too big to move and will have an extensive root system. The wisteria looks a little younger, so you could try cutting it back before you try to move it - best done when its dormant after all the leaves have fallen.  A camelia , being evergreen, would normally be repotted in April after flowering, but as it's got to be dug up anyway, I guess any time in mild weather between now and next March.  You might be able to get your builder in with a mini digger to scoop another hole somewhere else and drop it in really quickly which might help.

Unclebob101

Lizzie, much appreciated, let’s gamble in April for the camellia then!

will fit the wisteria back soon, thanks for that tip

Gardener John

Hi the camelia is a large healthy looking specimen, if I was moving it I would dig around
the root leaving a healthy root ball. with your spade tilt the bush slightly and place a
hessian bag underneath to move it, retaining as much root as possible. Plant in a new prepared hole and it should be ok. the wisteria should be moved in the same way. They both like eracatus soil, I garden on clay so would add compost before sinking the root.

Unclebob101

Great! Thanks a lot John