Transplanting a Mature Hydrangea with a Delay

Moving a mature hydrangea is straightforward even if you can't replant immediately. Soak the root zone until soggy, then lift the plant with a spading fork to preserve as many roots as possible. Wrap the root ball in damp towels or old t-shirts, keep it shaded and moist, and replant within a couple of weeks. The shrub will recover well, though it may need extra water during its first summer to compensate for any roots left behind.