Is it worth moving 1 metre(ish) bushes?

[Nat3kids]

When we moved into our house a few years ago there was just gravel at the front but quite a lot of shrubs that had been planted close to each other in the back garden that seemed to blocking each other’s light and stopping each other from flowering (I think that’s the reason why anyway!) We had a lawn added to the front last year and I’d like to add a mixed hedge. At the same time we need to remove some of the bushes from the back so that the ones that remain can thrive (hopefully!) with a bit more space. It feels wasteful to buy new shrubs while removing others but do you think it’s feasible to uproot hydrangea, holly and rhododendron bushes and replant them? I’m guessing it’s best to wait for the autumn?

Much, much easier to start with new shrubs.

Depending on how big your holly bush is, you may find it had a very very very deep root and will be a pain in the backside to dig up.

I'd also be tempted to start again, or, if you are inclined, take some cuttings from your hydrangea now and make yourself some new plants, it's very easy and satisfying!

It might be easier to buy new, but a lot more expensive, and wasteful when you already have some - especially if they are going to be got rid of anyway. You might as well give it a go.

Look up renovation pruning as well. It is a way to bring overgrown shrubs back in hand. Basically it takes 3 years to do it. Each year you prune a third of the branches back hard which stimulates new growth from the base. If you go on the RHS website it explains the best time of year to prune each species.

If you are thinking of moving some of them, summer is not the time to do it. Mid-late September-early October, or around mid-March depending on the weather and whether they are spring flowering or not.

Should you decide on doing it in the spring, it would be worth going round the rootball with a spade in the autumn, cutting downwards in a ring around the plant about a foot-18 inches away from the trunk. That will stimulate new root growth closer in.

Thanks all for this really useful advice! We’re novice gardeners but keen to learn. My thinking is that since the plants are there we might as well give it a go

When you try to move them, not only are you trying to avoid too much damage to roots of the plant you’re moving, you’re trying to avoid damaging the roots of the one next to it, whose roots will be entwined. Easier to plant new

We move all sorts, going against all the 'rules'. Some stuff takes, some stuff doesn't. Either way, we try and take as much of the root ball as possible, dog a much bigger hole than it seems is needed and water and feed religiously to give the relocated plant the best start.

Our latest relocation was an espalier apricot. At the wrong time. Seems to be doing fine!

I'd give it a go.