I mentioned on an earlier post that I feel ready to make changes in the garden, and with the weather turning mild and wet I took the opportunity to move the finest plant in the garden – the Cornus controversa variegata. It was in a silly little circular bed on its own, but its branches overhung two narrow paths. It also needed a more solid green backdrop to show off its superb leaf colours.

I’ve never moved such a large, estabished plant before and I want to keep every twig. So, planning was essential. In September I sliced down deep around the trunk about 3 feet out using my long, sharp trenching spade. The aim was to sever the horizontal surface roots and give the plant time to grow new feeder roots close to the trunk. The soil was warm and with plenty of rain forecast, I felt it would work, but I wouldn’t find out until I lifted it this week. I have a tendency to rush jobs, but I gave this plant all the time in the world, fishing out soil from under it with a hand fork and trowel to protect as much root as I could.

With the plant carefully lifted, I thought I’d show you the results of the root cutting:


You can see in the closeup where the root was severed, and the mass of new young roots formed. The wider shot shows how much fine root the tree was moved with. It’s had a bonemeal feed and two firm stakes to stop wind rock. I’m very confident it will survive and thrive in it’s new prime location.

December 23, 2008  
  ,