How to Transplant Confederate Roses
Confederate rose (Hibiscus mutabilis), or giant rose mallow, has the largest flowers of all hardy perennials. Its plentiful single or double flowers, with some varieties that change from white to pink after blooming, put on quite a show in the fall. An old-fashioned favorite that can reach heights of 12 to 15 feet and grow almost as wide, it can easily outgrow a tight space. Since the plant goes dormant in the winter, it is best to transplant it in late winter or early spring. With root balls on mature, multi-stemmed plants reaching 3 to 4 feet in diameter, you may need help for this project. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Loppers
- Shovel or spade
- Wheelbarrow or tarp
- Compost or composted manure
- Epsom salts
Instructions
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1
Cut all dead trunks on multi-stemmed root balls back to the ground. Cut top limbs of tree-types back by half. Remove all mulch and grass from around the root ball.
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2
Dig down 1 foot deep all around the plant, at least 1 foot away from the outside edge of a multi-stemmed root ball or 2 feet away from the trunk of a tree-type plant. Dig a trench around the plant and start moving underneath the plant with your shovel until you can lift the root ball from the ground. Take your time and get as much root ball as possible.
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Place the plant with root ball in a wheelbarrow or onto a tarp and carry to its new site, retaining as much soil as possible on the root ball.
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4
Dig a hole 1 foot wider and 6 inches deeper than the root ball. Fill the bottom of the hole with 6 inches of compost or composted manure. Fill the hole with water and allow to sink in.
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Place the tree or root ball into the hole and fill the hole with water. Add back the previously dug soil until the hole is filled to the top of the root ball.
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With the handle of the shovel, poke several holes around the root ball to avoid dry spots. Sprinkle 1 cup of Epsom salts around and over the root ball and water in well.
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Mulch with an acidic mulch such as pine needles or pine fines. Do not mulch over the top of the root ball until the new shoots emerge and reach 1 foot in height, then add 3 inches of mulch.
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Water every other day for two weeks, twice a week for two weeks, then once a week if there is not an inch of rain. Fertilize after four weeks.
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Tips & Warnings
Tree-type confederate roses are usually only grown in milder climates, such as USDA zones 9 and 10. In colder climates, your confederate rose will have multiple stems and die down to the ground each year.
Root balls of mature, multi-stemmed plants can be very heavy. Protect your back. Get help if needed.
Multi-stemmed root balls may break apart after being dug. This is a good time to divide the plant if you want to share it or make it smaller.
