CELEBRATING 25 YEARS! Welcome to my weekly series! THE LANDSCAPE ASKPROFESSIONAL Linda K. Lillie of Sprigs &Twigs Linda K. Lillie has been President of Sprigs & Twigs Inc. for the last 25 years. She is a graduate of Connecticut College in Botany, an accredited NOFA Organic Land Care Professional, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national award winning landscape designer for her design and installation projects. Hi Linda - My husband and I have a Fuzzy Deutzia shrub. It was here when we bought the house over 25 years ago and enjoy it every year when it blooms. However, it is right up against the foundation and should be moved. It is now about 15 feet tall. Should we move it now? Let it acclimate to new area then rejuvenate prune next year? Or prune a little now and move? Right now it is on the west side of the house getting afternoon sun. Should it remain in area with lots of sun? Thank you in advance for your advice. Vivian Hi Vivian, It's a great time to move the Deutzia, but there are a few things that need to get done to help the tree survive. Cut back the height of the plant by 1/3. Remove 1/3 of the oldest, largest stems by cutting the stem at the base of the plant. This reducing step is necessary because a transplanted shrub's roots cannot support the above-ground growth of the original shrub because a good portion of its root system will be destroyed in the transplanting process. Before replanting, if any of the roots have been broken or shredded, make a clean cut past the broken area with a sharp pair of pruners or loppers. This wil help the plant grow healthy new roots a little quicker. Plant it in the sun where the plant has been accustomed to growing. Make sure the Deutzia is well-watered before refilLling the new hole. Water deeply at least twice a week until the end of September, but do not water every day. Allow the soil to dry out between watering. This practice encourages the roots to grow deeply looking for water instead of staying near the surface of the soil. Be prepared to see lots of new shoots next spring and a very happy Deutzia! Sprigs D&Twigs EMAIL OR MAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO: info@sprigsandtwigs.net or Linda Lillie, Sprigs & Twigs Inc, PO Box 245, Gales Ferry, CT 06335 SPRICS & TWIGS VOTED THE BEST BY DAY READERS EVERY YEAR! CELEBRATING 25 YEARS! Welcome to my weekly series! THE LANDSCAPE ASKPROFESSIONAL Linda K. Lillie of Sprigs &Twigs Linda K. Lillie has been President of Sprigs & Twigs Inc. for the last 25 years. She is a graduate of Connecticut College in Botany, an accredited NOFA Organic Land Care Professional, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national award winning landscape designer for her design and installation projects. Hi Linda - My husband and I have a Fuzzy Deutzia shrub. It was here when we bought the house over 25 years ago and enjoy it every year when it blooms. However, it is right up against the foundation and should be moved. It is now about 15 feet tall. Should we move it now? Let it acclimate to new area then rejuvenate prune next year? Or prune a little now and move? Right now it is on the west side of the house getting afternoon sun. Should it remain in area with lots of sun? Thank you in advance for your advice. Vivian Hi Vivian, It's a great time to move the Deutzia, but there are a few things that need to get done to help the tree survive. Cut back the height of the plant by 1/3. Remove 1/3 of the oldest, largest stems by cutting the stem at the base of the plant. This reducing step is necessary because a transplanted shrub's roots cannot support the above-ground growth of the original shrub because a good portion of its root system will be destroyed in the transplanting process. Before replanting, if any of the roots have been broken or shredded, make a clean cut past the broken area with a sharp pair of pruners or loppers. This wil help the plant grow healthy new roots a little quicker. Plant it in the sun where the plant has been accustomed to growing. Make sure the Deutzia is well-watered before refilLling the new hole. Water deeply at least twice a week until the end of September, but do not water every day. Allow the soil to dry out between watering. This practice encourages the roots to grow deeply looking for water instead of staying near the surface of the soil. Be prepared to see lots of new shoots next spring and a very happy Deutzia! Sprigs D&Twigs EMAIL OR MAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO: info@sprigsandtwigs.net or Linda Lillie, Sprigs & Twigs Inc, PO Box 245, Gales Ferry, CT 06335 SPRICS & TWIGS VOTED THE BEST BY DAY READERS EVERY YEAR!