Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Wednesday - September 04, 2013

From: Buda, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Transplants, Shrubs
Title: When is the best time to transplant Esperanza bushe in Buda, TX?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

When is the best time to transplant an Esperanza bush? I want to move it because it is overwhelming my front yard. Thank you,

ANSWER:

You need to be aware that one of the things that go along with transplanting is the possibility of transplant shock. Disturbing the root system of a plant creates stress which can result in transplant shock. A couple of general caveats you should follow is to do the transplanting in the late fall  or early spring when the temperatures are more moderate, and select your new site for the plant and prepare the hole before you dig up the plant.

I’m going to refer you to several sites that have more tips about transplant shock and how you might avoid it.

  Clemson Extension 

  Morton Arboretum 

  Northscaping.com I

  Northscaping.com II

  gardeningknowhow.com

Another source of help could be the folks at the Hays County office of Texas AgriLife Extension.

 

 

 

 

More Planting Questions

How Close to Tree Trunks Should Bricks be Placed?
January 26, 2016 - Do you have guidelines as to how close bricks can be placed to trees, particularly cypress, cedars and live oaks? Contractors habitually plant up to the trunk and I've had trees die from their roots...
view the full question and answer

Penstemon digitalis not blooming in Hebron, NE.
May 22, 2010 - My Beardtongue plants are too close together. Can I transplant my Penstemon digitalis now, even though the plant is approx. 20" tall? It is not blooming.
view the full question and answer

How do I plant seeds harvested from my flower bed?
February 28, 2012 - In early Spring of 2011 I planted a new raised bed 75'x4' in size, with wildflower seeds obtained from a commercial nursery in Corpus Christi. I was taken back by their cost relative to the volume o...
view the full question and answer

Use of fresh clippings from tree trimmers for mulch in Austin
May 02, 2010 - Hi, The tree trimmers are in my neighborhood (east central Austin) to clear the power lines and said I can have a load of free mulch. I am wondering if there is any harm in using the fresh mulch from...
view the full question and answer

When to plant bluebonnets in Spicewood, TX
March 19, 2016 - When is the best time to plant Bluebonnets and do you place seeds under the soil or just spread on top? Thank you
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.