A serviceberry can develop optimally in the garden if it is planted in a well-thought-out location from the outset. Should a later transplanting become necessary, this is usually not a big problem with a serviceberry.
How should you transplant a serviceberry?
Transplanting a serviceberry is best done in spring or autumn by maintaining an intact root ball, transporting the plant gently and placing it in a suitably sized planting hole. After transplanting, water regularly and, if necessary, prune gently.
Better to transplant than to cut back brutally
At the time of variety selection, some gardeners underestimate the size that different varieties of serviceberry can reach over the years. There are also smaller varieties that simply reach a lower height on their own and without constant pruning. However, if it happens that a rock pear threatens to grow too tall in its original location, replanting should be preferred to brutal pruning. In contrast to many other garden shrubs and trees, rock pears tolerate brutal pruning poorly, and they often only visually recover from their rather unaesthetic shape after pruning after years.
The right time for transplanting
Basically, serviceberries are not very sensitive when transplanting. They can therefore be planted almost all year round as container goods from specialist retailers or when transplanting in your own garden. Spring and autumn are ideal for this, but should not be transplanted during periods of high summer heat or when there is frost and frozen ground in the winter. If rock pears are grown in pots, they should be transplanted into a container of appropriate size about every three years.
The correct procedure when transplanting
When transplanting, care should be taken to ensure that the root ball is as intact as possible. Therefore, pierce the soil with a spade at a distance of at least 50 cm from the trunk of the rock pear to carefully find the transition between the thicker roots and the hairy roots. Also ensure that the transport to the new location is as gentle as possible so that as much soil as possible remains on the roots and they cannot dry out so easily. The planting hole at the new location should be dug out a little larger than necessary and filled all around with loose substrate. This makes it easier for the rock pear to root in the new location through the formation of new hairy roots. You should also pay attention to the following points:
- water the serviceberry more for a few weeks after transplanting
- Drain permanently damp locations with a drainage layer
- water generously after planting to distribute the soil well around the roots
Tip
With the serviceberry, it can be helpful if the plant is given a subtle pruning immediately after transplanting. This restores the balance between the plant mass and the usually somewhat decimated root system and makes it easier to grow in the new location.