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Moving & Overwintering Perennials, Shrubs & Trees in Minnesota: A Complete Guide

Moving a sentimental garden 45 miles in a Minnesota winter is daunting but doable—with the right strategy for each plant type.

General Principles

Dig after hard frost kills top growth but before ground freezes solid.
Cut back all foliage to 2–3 inches; you're moving root systems, not leaves.
Use 20-gallon+ totes with drainage holes drilled in the bottom.
Store in an unheated, wind-protected garage or shed. Keep soil barely moist.

Plant-Specific Notes

Plant	Strategy
Hostas, tiger lilies, Japanese forest grass, bellflower, Jack-in-the-pulpit	Easy. Dig generous root balls. Pack in totes with native soil.
Echinacea	Deep taproot—dig very deep. Lay root horizontally if needed. High transplant risk.
Lilac, burning bush, dogwood	Dig wide (drip line). Prune top growth by ⅓ to balance root loss.
Winged burning bush tree (1 yr old)	Good candidate. Root prune now if moving in fall; easier spring move.
Double rose flowering plum (4 yrs)	High risk. Dig 3–4 ft radius, 2+ ft deep. Expect significant loss. Consider leaving and taking suckers/cuttings instead.

Timing

If moving before winter: plant immediately at new site, water deeply, mulch heavily. If moving in January: store as above, plant the moment ground is workable in spring.

Your mother's garden lives in the roots. With care, they'll reestablish and thrive in their new home.

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