The best time to transplant is anytime when the shrub is dormant (a few weeks after the leaves have dried out) and the soil is not frozen. That reducess stress on the plant. Helps the back too!

So check the weather and plant either now or in early Spring. Personally, I prefer to move shrubs in early Spring. Try to move as much of the root ball as you can. I preprare the new hole first and then move the shrub with help, if needed. Do not fertilize again until Spring but do add muilch up to the drip line.

Thanks so much! I will wait until Spring. Considering we had a crazy cold spell and it's 19 degrees outside, I'm glad I waited.

Hydrangea arborescens is not going to do very well with so little sun. Full sun is your best option if you want strong flowering and a strong healthy plant. It will survive in shade but it will not be at it's best.

My Annabelle grows and blooms quite well in about 6 hours of morning sun. I have the feeling that how much sun it benefits from may vary depending on where one is, plants in hotter or drier areas benefitting from more shade.

Mine actually gets only late afternoon sun from 4 until 7 pm and bloomed ok this past season as well. Perhaps it doesn't need as much sun as one might expect. I'm in zone 5 (Toronto Canada).

This post was edited by starlight99 on Tue, Dec 2, 14 at 22:22

Yes, my Annabelle did very well in full shade but it was in bright shade (indirect light). Then the irony of ironies hit... the drip irrigation had a problem and I killed it due to lack of water during the late Fall Months and Winter Months. Sigh.