There’s nothing quite as exciting as those first warm days of late winter when we can finally get back into the garden! Recently, we took advantage of a beautiful day to tackle some essential early spring tasks: transplanting roses that needed more sun, dividing our favorite perennials, and protecting our precious roses from rabbit damage. Join us as we share the process and offer tips for your own garden awakening.
One of our garden mantras is that “gardens change with the gardener,” and today’s projects perfectly illustrate this principle. When we first planted our Mary Rose and Gertrude Jekyll roses (our very first David Austin roses!), the Eastern Redbud nearby was just a tiny sapling. Now that it’s matured, it’s casting too much shade on these sun-loving plants.
Rather than struggling with underperforming roses, we decided to relocate them to sunnier spots where they can truly thrive. This kind of evolution is natural and necessary in a well-tended garden—don’t be afraid to move plants that aren’t in their ideal locations!
Moving established roses might seem intimidating, but with proper technique, it can be done safely, even in early spring. Here’s our process:
Before disturbing your rose’s roots, dig the new hole first. This minimizes the time roots are exposed to drying air. Make the hole:
We reduced the size of our roses before moving them, which:
For Gertrude Jekyll (notoriously thorny!), we removed several canes, especially those showing winter dieback (blackened areas). We were more aggressive with pruning than we might be during regular maintenance, but this helps the rose focus energy on root establishment rather than supporting extensive top growth.
When digging up an established rose:
When backfilling the hole:
We’re especially excited about our new planting combinations:
Spring is the perfect time to divide many perennials, including our beloved Walker’s Low catmint (Nepeta). This plant offers so many benefits:
Despite our jokes about needing “scientific skill,” dividing catmint couldn’t be easier:
We used our divisions to create a soft hedge in front of Mary Rose and to fill gaps in other areas of the garden. The divisions will establish quickly and look full by summer.
We created protective cages using:
The process is straightforward:
While these cages are somewhat visible now, once the roses leaf out, they’ll virtually disappear. The black coating helps them blend into the landscape, and the protection they provide is absolutely worth the minimal visual impact.
For established roses showing rabbit damage, we pruned away the damaged canes before applying protection. Look for scraped areas on stems—these won’t heal properly and can invite disease. Cut back to healthy growth below the damage.
As we worked, we continued planning future changes, including:
This ongoing evaluation and adjustment is what keeps gardens fresh and beautiful. Don’t be afraid to make changes when plants outgrow their spaces or when your vision for an area evolves.
These transitional days between winter and spring offer the perfect opportunity to:
By tackling these tasks early, your garden will be positioned for a spectacular growing season ahead. The work may seem daunting, especially after a winter break, but the rewards of healthy, thriving plants make every sore muscle worthwhile!
What early spring tasks are you tackling in your garden this year? Have you found creative solutions for protecting plants from wildlife? We’d love to hear about your experiences!
Thanks for growing with us!
Join our gardening journey and grow alongside us. From seed starting to full garden tours, we share tips, inspiration, and the joy of growing beautiful spaces.
We respect your privacy and will never share your information. Thanks for growing with us!
Get seasonal tips, behind-the-scenes from our garden, and be the first to know what we’re planting, pruning, and loving.
As a thank you, we’ll send you our favorite tried-and-true plants — the ones we grow in our own garden.
