Can You Transplant Boxwoods In The Summer

You can transplant boxwoods in the summer, but it requires a lot of effort and carries a high risk of failure.
 
Transplanting boxwoods in summer is risky because the heat forces the plant to lose moisture faster than its damaged roots can absorb it.
 
If you absolutely need to transplant your boxwoods during the summer, there are specific steps you must take to give them a fighting chance.
 
In this guide, we will look at what it takes to transplant boxwoods in the summer and whether it’s worth the risk.
 

Why You Should Think Twice Before Transplanting Boxwoods in the Summer

The main reason experts discourage a summer boxwood transplant is that the odds are stacked against the plant.
 
When you dig up a boxwood, you sever a large portion of its root system.
 
These roots are the plant’s only way to drink up water.
 

Heat Stress is the Main Enemy

When you transplant boxwoods in summer, the high temperatures cause the leaves to expel water rapidly through transpiration.
 
If the reduced roots can’t keep up with the demand, the boxwood will wilt, brown, and potentially die.
 
This is exactly why a summer boxwood transplant requires constant vigilance with watering.
 

Reduced Root Mass Limits Water Uptake

You cannot bring the entire root system with you when you move a plant.
 
The smaller the root ball you dig, the higher the risk of failure.
 
Since you lose so many feeder roots during a boxwood transplant, the plant enters a water deficit.
 
That is why transplanting boxwoods in summer is so dangerous compared to doing it in the fall.
 

Roots Need Time to Establish Before Winter

When you transplant a boxwood, it needs time to grow new roots into the surrounding soil.
 
Transplanting boxwoods in the summer gives them very little time to establish before the stress of winter arrives.
 
Ideally, a boxwood transplant happens when the plant is semi-dormant, like in late fall or early spring.
 
Summer disrupts this natural cycle and forces the plant to try to grow under duress.
 

How to Successfully Transplant Boxwoods in the Summer

If you must transplant your boxwood in summer, here is how to do it with the highest chance of success.
 

Prepare the Root Ball Before the Boxwood Transplant

Do not just dig up the boxwood on a whim.
 
Several weeks before you plan to transplant boxwoods in the summer, you should root prune.
 
Use a sharp spade to cut straight down into the soil around the plant, creating a circle just inside the drip line.
 
This severs the long roots and encourages the development of a compact, fibrous root ball closer to the trunk.
 
A dense root ball is much more likely to survive a summer boxwood transplant than a sparse, long-rooted one.
 

Prepare the New Hole Before You Dig

Speed is essential for a summer boxwood transplant.
 
Dig the new hole before you ever touch the boxwood.
 
The hole should be twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper.
 
This allows the roots to spread out horizontally in loose soil.
 
Having the hole ready reduces the time the roots are exposed to hot summer air.
 

Timing Your Summer Boxwood Transplant is Critical

Not all summer days are equal for a boxwood transplant.
 
The worst time to transplant boxwoods in the summer is during a heatwave or in direct mid-afternoon sun.
 
Aim for an overcast day or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler.
 
This gives the plant several hours of darkness to start recovering before the sun hits it again.
 
Transplanting boxwoods in summer is best done in the cooler parts of the day to minimize moisture loss.
 

Watering Before and After the Transplant

Hydration is non-negotiable when you transplant boxwoods in the summer.
 
A day before transplanting boxwoods in summer, soak the soil thoroughly.
 
This ensures the roots are full of water before you move them.
 
Immediately after transplanting your boxwood, water it deeply again to settle the soil and remove air pockets.
 
For the first few weeks, you may need to water every single day if there is no rain.
 
Do not let the soil dry out completely, but also avoid making it soggy.
 

Critical Aftercare for a Summer Boxwood Transplant

The work doesn’t end after you put the boxwood in the ground.
 
Aftercare is what will ultimately determine if your summer boxwood transplant thrives.
 

Mulch Heavily to Protect the Roots

A thick layer of organic mulch, like pine bark or shredded leaves, is essential for a summer boxwood transplant.
 
Mulch keeps the soil temperature cooler and retains moisture.
 
Apply a 2-3 inch layer around the base of the boxwood, but keep it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.
 
This small step can dramatically improve the odds when you transplant boxwoods in the summer.
 

Provide Temporary Shade

Since transplanting boxwoods in summer exposes them to intense light, consider providing shade.
 
You can use a shade cloth, an old bed sheet, or a burlap screen on the south and west sides of the plant.
 
This reduces transpiration and gives the roots time to establish without the leaves demanding too much water.
 
Keep the shade on for a few weeks until you see new growth.
 

Don’t Fertilize After a Summer Transplant

It might seem helpful to add fertilizer, but it is a mistake.
 
When you transplant boxwoods in summer, the roots are damaged and stressed.
 
Fertilizer, especially high-nitrogen types, encourages leaf growth that the roots cannot support.
 
Wait until the following spring to fertilize your boxwood transplant.
 

So, Can You Transplant Boxwoods in the Summer?

You can transplant boxwoods in the summer, but it is a high-risk operation that requires dedication.
 
The heat and lack of root mass work against you at every turn.
 
While transplanting boxwoods in summer is possible, it is far safer to wait for fall or early spring.
 
If you have no choice, remember to root prune, water deeply, mulch heavily, and provide shade.
 
By following these steps, you can transplant boxwoods in the summer and hopefully watch them survive until the cooler weather arrives.
 
Just know that the margin for error is much smaller than during a dormant season transplant.