- 1). Remove all the dead foliage at the ground level after it dies back in the fall. Use a sharp pair of shears and cut the stalks about 1 inch above the soil level before transplanting. For spring transplanting, plan to move your perennial flower before growth begins.
- 2). Slide a sharp spade into the soil at the edge of the main root ball. Pull back on the handle until the root clump comes free from the soil. This is a good time to divide plants if they've become overcrowded.
- 3). Dig a hole at the new planting site just large enough to accommodate the root clump. When transplanting, always replant at the same depth as the plant's original location.
- 4). Place the perennial root clump in the hole and fill in the soil under and around it. Pat down gently to secure the plant in the soil. Water the area to settle the roots in their new environment. For the first three weeks after transplanting, water when the top 3 inches of soil are dry.
- 5). Spread a 4-inch layer of mulch around the new transplant. Avoid fertilizers for at least three months for spring transplants. Fertilize fall transplants at the beginning of the next growing season.
Source...