Bare-root transplants in an unusually warm winter?

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Oystercatcher Brooklyn, NY Dec 13, 2015

I recently moved from New York City,and left on my deck various potted plants (beach plum, milkweed, aster, other sunny perennials) which I intended to return for & bare-root transplant in mid-December.

That time is near, and it's been freakishly warm — up in the 50s and 60s when it should be in the 30s and 40s, if not colder. Will this affect their dormancy / chances of transplant success?

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DaisyPlantLady Reno, NV(Zone 6b) Dec 17, 2015

I live in a climate that's supposed to be cold too. My gut thought is that when a plant thinks it should be dormant, no matter what the weather, it will be dormant. I base this on my experience with the native plants in the CA foothills and the NV desert. I would say your optimum time is in January or February.

No matter what, a perennial needs its winter nap. I think they will take that nap, even in unusually warm weather.

The biggest problem might be keeping the roots damp and cool until they reach their new homes. Although you don't want to transport pots, is it possible to transport root balls?

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altagardener Calgary, AB(Zone 3b) Dec 21, 2015

Umm, in a normal winter, I don't know how one would be able to transplant plants into the ground in December... frozen ground doesn't lend itself well to digging.

Sure, in a freakishly warm winter, I guess you could do it. Or am I missing something?

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DaisyPlantLady Reno, NV(Zone 6b) Dec 21, 2015

The ground hasn't frozen in Reno this year so I didn't think about that. But Oystercatcher says its warm so I am assuming the question was about if the plants were going to go dormant or not and be transplantable.

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sallyg Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b) Dec 28, 2015

If Poster comes back, I say just try it.
If they're going from NYC to Brooklyn, it is a short trip (an hour or two out of ground) and similar zone. Ground hasn't frozen here yet. My perennials haven't even completely frozen yet. So if these plants get in their new spots, they can go dormant if they wish, or start rooting in if it stays mild.

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Oystercatcher Brooklyn, NY Dec 28, 2015

Thanks, all! The plants have been moved and are now in the ground in Bangor, Maine. They had about a weak of above-freezing weather with several rains, and now the cold has kicked in. Will see how they are come spring!

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