Transplanting Roses, Pieris, Hydrangeas, Bulbs: A Master Class in Container Moves

Rose Transplant Success

Dug mature rose, potted with home soil + compost, pruned to outward buds. Winter care for containerized rose (Zone 5):

• Unheated garage (0°F), covered with quilt/blankets.
• Monthly: 8 oz water. Mark calendar.
• Light exclusion prevents early dormancy break.
• Freeze-thaw cycles kill—not freezing alone.

Pieris japonica in Pot

• Multi-purpose compost OK for now.
• Feed acid fertilizer (Miracid) in spring.
• Don’t feed now.

Blue Hydrangea Macrophylla

• Pink flowers = alkaline soil.
• Container = control. Add aluminum sulfate per this guide.
• Pieris needs acid too—same spring feed.

Plant Patents & Propagation

Patents = money for breeders. Personal propagation technically illegal but unenforced. Don’t sell—no one cares.

Oxalis, Lilies, Glads, Sparaxis in One Pot

• Oxalis: Don’t lift—withhold water, go dormant, store frost-free.
• Gladiolus: Lift, dry, paper bags in basement. Dust sulfur.
• Lilies: Fridge (no apples!) for cold treatment. Plant spring.
• Sparaxis: Lift, store dry.

Violas, Vinca, Lupine, Thunbergia, Pitcher Plants, Primula, Pelargoniums

• Violas: Perennial but grown as annuals (mildew, aphids).
• Vinca minor: Spring bloom, groundcover (not climber), acid soil.
• Lupine: Taproot—don’t move. Seed color variable (hybrid).
• Thunbergia: Seed capsules = google “Thunbergia alata seed cases”.
• Pitcher plant: Needs cold—put outside, not greenhouse.
• Primula denticulata: Often fails winter even with care.
• Pelargoniums: Take cuttings (seed-starting mix, bottom water). Seeds won’t come true.

Massive Q&A, but the thread is gold for container perennial management.