Can Rhododendrons Be Transplanted?

A: Rhododendrons can be transplanted. Like all plants, the younger they are, the better the odds. You'll get more of the rootballs than with established plants that have been in the ground for years. Moving a struggling plant is always an iffy proposition.

How do you move and transplant a rhododendron?

When replanting, keep the top of the bush's root crown level at or slightly above soil level. Make sure to water well and deeply. According to Sacramento County master gardeners, the ideal location for a rhododendron in our area is a site with filtered sunlight, but not heavy shade.

Can you dig up and replant a rhododendron?

Rhododendron are not to hard to move, as they have very fibrous roots which grow on the surface. ... When the root ball looks about the right size, so that you can still move it, but there are still a lot of roots intact, begin to under cut the root ball with a sharp spade to sever the biggest woody roots.