moving a camelia and peony now?

[lilacben]

I need to move both peony and camelia now to make way for patio. will it be safe to do so.?

[jake-the-peg]

With regard to peonies, it's true they are rotten sulks about being moved and you'll probably get a disappointing year or two afterwards. You'd be better moving in the Autumn but if they've got to move now they'll probably be OK I move a big one in early spring 2 years back , 1 solitary bloom the following year but a nice display this year. Take a big root ball and keep it well watered.

No experience with camelias but I'd guess similar applies

[WendyS]

Probably not the best time, lilacben, as they will now be in full growth and with the roots exposed, even briefly in hot sun, they will not like it, especially the peony which will sulk for ages, and possibly refuse to flower again for several years as they hate being disturbed. However, you obviously don't want to delay your patio until autumn, so if needs must, I suggest you have their replacement holes well dug out and watered before you even start to move them, with lots of compost added. . Dig them up and replant them immediately with as big a rootball as possible, and water them daily for several weeks, especially in this heat, and spray the leaves every evening as well in hot weather. If you camelia is any decent size, it might also help to cover it temporarily with fleece to reduce the risk of moisture loss in scorching heat.