It might be they need moving because they’re overshadowed by trees and get insufficient sun for optimum flowering or perhaps a home extension is displacing a favourite shrub.

With deciduous plants it is unnecessary to save the soil around the roots when they are dug out, trimming any damaged, broken roots with clean, sharp secateurs to prevent possible soil diseases.

Plant in the new position as soon as possible so the roots don’t dry out, keeping the stem at the same level as it was in its original position.

Tread the soil to firm it around the stem, then make a soil bank around the plant to hold at least a bucket of water. This also eliminates any air pockets in the root zone.

Don’t add any chemical fertilisers in the hole as these can severely burn new roots as they develop. I advise watering in a seaweed plant nutrient that, as a liquid, will soak rapidly into the soil to the root zone.

Evergreen shrubs are best moved in early spring. Unlike deciduous shrubs, it is important to retain as much soil as possible around the roots.

When replanting either deciduous or evergreen shrubs, it is advisable to reduce some of the top growth to compensate for damage or reduction of roots.

It’s wise to treat plant labels as a guide only, especially so when describing the size of a plant because the same plant from different growers can show considerable variations on the ultimate size.

Also a constant reader complaint is when garden centres put the sticky price label on top of the information.

Jottings…

• The Horticultural Society of Canberra will conduct a rose and fruit tree pruning demonstration at its garden on the corner of Battye and Purdie Streets, Bruce, 1pm-3pm, on Saturday, July 30.
• A rose-only pruning demonstration will be conducted at the Woodfield’s garden, 1 Spence Street, Hughes, 1pm-3pm, on Sunday, July 31.
• A layer of horticultural charcoal placed in the bottom of all plant containers provides drainage plus the added advantage of a natural soil sweetener.
• If you have Ceratostigma willmottianum or C. plumbaginodes growing in your garden cut the stems to ground level. This super plant tends to sucker so it is a good time to lift these and use to fill bare spots in your garden.
• Divide chrysanthemums by taking rooted shoots from the outer edge of the plant. Pot up in a good-quality potting mix.
• Most deciduous shrubs can be hard pruned in winter while dormant as illustrated with a Buddleia or Butterfly Bush.
• I endeavour to discuss plants in this column that are available from local garden centres or that I know will grow here. However, if searching the internet please remember that many garden information websites are overseas with completely different growing conditions.