Move mature rhododendrons without killing them and create a living privacy screen.
Based on: How to Transplant Rhododendrons With Roger Cook | Ask This Old House by This Old House
▶ Watch the source video on YouTube
What if those overgrown shrubs you're staring at are actually worth four or five hundred dollars each — and you could move them yourself for free? That's exactly what Roger Cook from This Old House revealed when he showed up at a first-time homeowner's house and spotted two mature PJM rhododendrons sitting in the wrong spot. Most people assume transplanting a large, established shrub is a job for a professional crew with heavy equipment. The truth is, it can be done by two people with the right shovels and the right sequence — and getting that sequence wrong is what kills the plant.
Here's the problem most homeowners run into: they either dig too close to the root ball and destroy the feeder roots, or they plant the shrub too deep and slowly suffocate it. Some dig the destination hole after they've already pulled the plant, leaving it sitting exposed while they scramble. Others skip the post-transplant fertilizer entirely and wonder why the shrub looks stressed for two full seasons. These are the exact mistakes Roger addresses step by step in his hands-on demonstration — and they're all completely avoidable.
Imagine moving a six-foot rhododendron that's already bursting with flower buds into exactly the right spot to create a natural privacy screen between you and your neighbor. No fence permit, no contractor, no thousands of dollars. Just a couple of afternoons of work and a plant that looks like it's always been there. That's what Mario and Jennifer accomplished with Roger's guidance, and it's what you can do with the right plan in hand.
Roger Cook has spent decades as This Old House's landscape contractor, and his advice is grounded in thousands of real-world transplants — not theory. He knows exactly when in the season to move rhododendrons, how to read the plant to confirm it's ready, which tools do the actual work, and how to check hole depth before you commit. He even covers what to do with the second, smaller shrub so the two plants read as one cohesive grouping.
This checklist distills every actionable step from Roger's demonstration into a clear, printable PDF you can take straight to the yard. From tying up branches before you dig, to the precise watering schedule that keeps the transplant alive through its first summer, every detail is here. Pick up your copy and move your rhododendrons with confidence.
Every checklist item comes with actionable notes to guide you — things like "Don't forget to do this before you start," "Avoid this common mistake," or "Set a reminder for 30 days out." Nothing vague, just clear next steps.
+ 16 more action items inside...
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