Ratty Hilda Nibletts, Worth Transplanting or Start Over?

12 years ago

Hi, I have a bank in my back yard planted with 9 Hilda Nibletts. They are 9 years old and have been very happy there, have bloomed beautifully every year and required little to no care the entire time.

Enter TWO puppies 2 1/2 years ago, now adult dogs. This will be their third spring in the backyard with my Hildas and my lack of action up until now have left them ratty, raggedy, tattered, you get the point~ the dogs lovelovelove to chew on them and run around, behind and even through them. A couple have been reduced to a double handfull sized mound of sticks, but the rest have a decent amount of foliage that's hanging on.

Since they've been so easy to grow I'm wondering if it's worth my time and effort to transplant what's left of these, or just start over with new ones outside the backyard fence where the dogs can't get to them. I'd appreciate any opinions or suggestions!

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Comment (1)

morz8 - Washington Coast
12 years ago
If they were healthy and well established, there really isn't any reason to assume they wouldn't do well moved someplace more protected.

Just a few guidelines for moving them - it can be successful just about any time the ground isn't frozen or they are not in active growth...the period of active growth is right after blooming when the foliage buds are opening and expanding.

The roots will extend out about as far as the widest branches (pre-dogs) but you can usually safely take a smaller size rootball, aim for rootball equal in diameter to approx 2/3s the plants height. Don't lift and let the weight of the rootball damage roots, drag on cardboard or tarp to their newly prepared site, and be careful not to plant any deeper than they were original growing, even if that means allowing for settling of a new bed. A bit high is better than low. Mulch the root zone after planting to cool the soil and conserve moisture ....
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