Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - May 13, 2009
From: Grenville sur la rouge, QC
Region: Canada
Topic: Best of Smarty, Planting, Transplants, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Transplanting Trillium in Quebec.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in the Laurentiens of Quebec where they are putting a HWY in my back yard. I have a lot of white trillium that I am wanting to transplant before they start the excavation but, I have heard the they don’t transplant very well unless you dig up the whole bulb of the flower, is this true if so how far down and wide do you have to dig to make sure your flowers you are transplanting stay a live? Thank you,ANSWER:
From what I have found, it is true that Trillium does not transplant well. According to various sources, your timing is also bad; some suggest that you attempt transplanting in early spring, and others prefer the fall after flowering. In your case, it doesn't seem like you have any choice. So as you proceed, keep thinking that its is difficult, but not impossible.
A previous question deals with the issues involved in transplanting Trillium, and you should be able to glean some good information from it. A Master Gardener fact sheet from the Toronto Botanical Garden should also prove helpful. For a source of help closer to home try Flora Quebeca.
Two helpful hints that I have picked up in researching this question:
1. Dig carefully with a spading fork, not a shovel, to avoid slicing the rhizomes which may lead to infection.
2. Leave as much soil as possible surrounding the rhizomes.
The depth and width of the hole that you dig depends on the individual plant. Some rhizomes can be up to a foot deep in rich soil.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Are there edible nettles native to the Austin, TX area?
September 13, 2011 - Are there any nettles native to this area? I would like to cook with them (if there is a good substitute, please advise). Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Plants for Liberty Hill TX in full sun
April 15, 2008 - We recently bought an acre of land in Liberty Hill, TX. We have a large planting area in the front that is devoid of any plant life. I would like to turn this into a semi shaded area with some annua...
view the full question and answer
Which plants are resistant to dog urine in Ashmore, IL??
May 21, 2012 - Which native plants are resistant to dogs urinating on them?
view the full question and answer
Plants for red clay in Hattiesburg, MS
May 16, 2011 - Looking for plants and flowers to plant in red clay?
view the full question and answer
Making Ruellia nudiflora thicker in pot from Tucson AZ
June 25, 2012 - Can Ruellia Nudiflora be propagated in the same pot as the parent plant?
Can it be cut back to stimulate a denser plant?
I have plants in several pots and would like to 'thicken' the plant.
Tha...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |