Moving plants - can I, dare I, and when?

[willfullywinsome]

We're moving and there are some beautiful established shrubs/ trees that I shall be very sad to leave.
Could I try moving them?
When and how, to give them best possible chance?
They are:
An Acer
A cordyline
A rhododendron
All about 2-3 feet high?
Has anyone done this successfully?

The acer should be fine, dig it up now. The rhododendron too, I think, though have never done it.

I don't know about the cordyline.

When are you moving? I've moved several rhododendron (and azaleas) from front to back garden. The best time is in the autumn but I've moved some at other times of the year too although this has affected how well they've flowered the following year. You might need to prune them if you dont take a large enough root ball (rhododendron often have one or two large deep roots and many smaller ones which form a 'mat' close to the surface.) If they are established you need to put them in pots before you sell and advise your buyer that they aren't part of the sale.

Move them into pots when you can, as there is an expectation that garden plants remain for the new people. Like fixtures and fittings. Plants in pots are moveable.

Fair point regarding plants being part of the sale. However the prospective owners have already announced that they will be paving the area over and we've agreed we might take them with us. (I can't really bear the thought of this, but it won't be our garden any longer).

Thanks for the advice. Is there any advantage in waiting a few weeks until it's warmer? We have the time.

I think it's better to move them now while they are dormant but make sure the ground isn't frozen or they will be a nightmare to dig up.

Too early. Wait another month if you can.

When is the move likely to happen - any idea?

Yamadori is much more experienced with plants than me so please ignore my advice.

put in the biggest pots or garden bags that you can. I dug up loads when we moved (new owner had no interest) and much of it lived happily for a year in pots till new garden was sorted.

hardest thing was actually finding a removal company who were happy to move them.

settle them in well in new home …lots of manure and really big hole and water well I’d say for at least a year. And keep an eye on their watering if it’s dry.

Yes I would say if you're in the UK wait a month if you can and then start to move things into pots. Try and get as much of the root as possible. Some stuff may benefit from pruning once in the pot but you could do more specific internet research on that per plant.
We did this and plenty of things stayed in pots in the new place until we planted out. Some stuff didn't survive, but that's gardening isn't it. Some stuff doesn't survive or thrive whatever you do!
Do be specific about the plants you are taking, via the solicitor, just to avoid any last minute issues.

Either buy some pots to put them in, or you.can buy plastic liners especially designed for moving plants. Do it on a mild day. The danger is not in digging them up but replanting. You must wait until there is no chance of a drop in temperature.

the rhododendron and the Acer both have shallow roots so put them into a pot. Replanting the rhododendrons when it has finished flowering. Replant the Acer in late spring.

I don’t know very much about cordolyne moving

I remember seeing an episode of GW where Monty Don said he is frequently asked if it’s possible to move a cordyline. The answer was no. Sorry.

I also meant to say - cordylines are fairly fast growing, so console yourself knowing you can start a new one in your new garden. Or even a palm like a trachycarpus, they are very hardy and don’t get as leggy as cordylines.