Digging up and moving established hydrangea

[Notthecarwashagain]

Someone on my local fb group is giving away a huge hydrangea as they've just bought the house and don't want it in the garden ( )

I would really like it, but have no idea if it will be able to survive the move.
Was planning on digging a hole ready for it in advance, but does anyone know how to go about moving it, to give it the best chance please? Or should I just forget it?

Thanks !
It's massive!

If they're giving it away there's nothing to lose. Mine was unhappy in its corner, I dug it up and repotted it on a whim to see if it just needed a bit of TLC, trimmed off dead bits & now it's thriving. Give it a go.

Might as well give it a go! You could potentially divide the bush if it's that big?

Also, maybe take cuttings, just in case?

Ah brill, thank you. I'll definitely give it a go then! Didn't want to do it if it was a complete no chance.
Cuttings is a good idea!
Thanks both

Honestly I moved one 4 or 5 times and it was a tough as old boots, I’d say your odds are way above average

My mum’s lovely neighbour gave us one she had dug out and we planted it last year, this year you can see it is really establishing and looks much happier

I have moved 2 big ones! I did them earlier in the year than this but I found them pretty easy to move. I would dig a HUGE hole as roots are massive and get as much of the root as you can (I cut the rest) and water in the hole so it's all ready. I then just made sure I watered far more than I thought it could need. They both survived but didn't flower the first year after moving. Blooming love them!

It's not the right season to move it and you will risk killing it if you move it outside the planting season of November-March

If it will be destroyed if you don't take it, it's worth having a go. Prune the branches back, water it before digging it up, get as much fibrous root as you can and wrap the rootball with its soil in plastic. Water the hole you've dug for it, then water it after you've planted it in its new position. Make sure it doesn't dry out.

As EatingAllThePies says, watering really is key. When you move a plant, a lot of the fibrous root system is lost, and this is the area where water take up is done. The large woody roots are generally for anchorage and they can cut with less impact to the plant than the tiny fibrous roots. This is why we water, water and water again. Feeds will help it establish itself and make up its losses.

Yep.
Moved a mature one in June.
Get as big a root ball as you possibly can, soak it the night before you plan to dig it up then cut all the branches back to just above ground level.
Water water water when you've planted it. Mine did flowers a bit towards the end of that summer, amazingly.

I’ve moved a large one twice, survived happily and now thriving in its new location, just need to ensure she gets as much of the root ball as possible.

Do take cuttings - they take really easily (my fingers have green only in patches and even I can get hydrangeas going!

Then if the main bush doesn't like the move, you still have a few little ones

I think you’ll be fine as I’ve been trying to seriously reduce the spread of one we inherited with our new house (it’s in the wrong place really and feral) and it appears to be totally indestructible!

Yes I’ve moved one
A huge one under a window. Moved it to my df garden and it’s It’s still going strong.

This is all very hopeful! Thank you!
I've roped in a friend to help dig it up, and will get started on the hole here for it.

Fingers crossed!

Thanks again

I've never taken a hydrangea cutting...sorry to hijack the post but when does anyone recommend taking cuttings? I've standard rather than ramblers but several types.

Best time is spring, so get on with it now - you want to do it whilst it's still coming into leaf or has only just done so (still burgeoning with growth). It would probably work at any time over the summer, but it's nice to give the baby plants time to settle before winter

Have you got a 'how to' guide?

I don't even bother with rooting hormone powder now, as I clearly own a thug!