How To Transplant Spirea Bushes: Learn When To Move Spirea Bushes


Spirea is a popular flowering shrub hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9. Whether you have one in a container that you want to move to the garden, or you have an established plant that needs to move to a new spot, sometimes spirea bush transplanting is necessary. Keep reading to learn more spirea transplanting info.
Spirea Bush Transplanting
Spirea bush transplanting from a container is easy. Pick a sunny, well-drained spot in your garden. Dig a hole that’s a couple of inches (5 cm.) deeper than your container and twice as wide. It helps to set the container in the hole as you dig to get a feel for the size. Fill the bottom of the hole with a couple of inches (5 cm.) of compost. Slide the root ball out of its container and set it in the hole. Don’t shake out the excess dirt. Fill in the hole with a mix of soil and good compost. Water thoroughly and keep the plant well-watered for the next year. It may take as long as a year for your spirea to get completely established.
Moving a Spirea Shrub in the Garden
Moving a spirea shrub that’s established isn’t necessarily hard, but it can get unwieldy. Spirea shrubs can grow as tall as 10 feet (3 m.) and as wide as 20 feet (6 m.). If your shrub is especially big, you may have to prune back its branches just to get to the trunk. However, if you can reach the trunk, don’t prune it at all. You want to dig up the root ball, which is probably as wide as the drip line, or the outermost edge of the plant’s branches. Start digging down and in at the drip line until you free the root ball. Moving a spirea shrub should be done as quickly as possible so the plant doesn’t dry out. It may help to wrap the root ball in burlap to keep it moist and to stop the soil from falling away. Plant it in a hole prepared just like for container transplanting. If your foliage spread is wider than your root ball, prune it back a bit.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our most popular eBook "How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes."

The only child of a horticulturist and an English teacher, Liz Baessler was destined to become a gardening editor. She has been with Gardening Know how since 2015, and a Senior Editor since 2020. She holds a BA in English from Brandeis University and an MA in English from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. After years of gardening in containers and community garden plots, she finally has a backyard of her own, which she is systematically filling with vegetables and flowers.
-
15 Garden Trends To Avoid in 2024: Experts Warn Against These Outdated Designs
Garden trends come and go. We asked gardening experts to share the outdated trends that should be retired – and what you can do instead.
By Melanie Griffiths Last updated
-
How To Overwinter Ollas For Years Of Use: Get More From Irrigation Pots
If you overwinter ollas properly, you'll keep these unique watering pots from cracking. Here's how to protect them in erratic winter temperatures so they last longer.
By Mary Ellen Ellis Published
-
Managing Japanese Spirea – How To Control Japanese Spirea Plants
Japanese spirea is a small shrub that has naturalized throughout parts of the U.S. In some areas it has even become invasive. Learn how to control it here.
By Amy Grant Published
-
Managing Japanese Spirea – How To Control Japanese Spirea Plants
Japanese spirea is a small shrub that's naturalized throughout parts of the U.S. In some areas, it is invasive. Learn how to control it here.
By Amy Grant Last updated
-
Pruning Spirea: Tips For Cutting Back Spirea Shrubs
Pruning spirea after a couple of years will rejuvenate the plant. The following article contains information on how to prune spirea along with other helpful tips for cutting back spirea shrubs in the landscape. Click here to learn more.
By Amy Grant Last updated
-
Spirea Plant Varieties: Learn About Different Kinds Of Spirea Bushes
If you go to the plant store, you may be surprised by how many types of spirea are available in commerce. Click on this article for an overview of the different spirea plant varieties as well as exceptional spirea cultivars.
By Teo Spengler Last updated
-
Pruning Spirea Shrubs: Learn About Trimming Spirea Plants
Spirea is a lovely foundation plant, providing greenery and flowers. But it’s a common complaint that these small shrubs start to look ugly after a season or two. The solution is simple: trimming spirea plants keeps it looking attractive year after year. Learn more here.
By Mary Ellen Ellis Last updated
-
What Is Ogon Spirea: Growing A Mellow Yellow Spirea Plant
Varieties such as Ogon spirea promise growers a profusion of flowers in the springtime, followed by stunning bronzed foliage each fall. Best of all, their robust nature and long life span make spirea shrubs like this an investment worth making. Click here for more info.
By Tonya Barnett Last updated
-
Growing Spirea Shrubs: Information On How To Care For Spirea Bushes
Novice and experienced gardeners alike love spirea bushes for their eye-catching beauty, fast growth rate, hardiness, and ease of care. Find tips on spirea growing conditions and care in this article.
By Susan Patterson Last updated