I have an evergreen Mahonia (x Media type) thats about 3 years old and is in the wrong place and needs moving. I cant decide whether to move it around now (October) or next spring. There are pros and cons to both, which is part of the trouble i have. I would prefer to move it in autumn since the soil is still warm, if we have a mild wet winter again it should help it to establish better before next summer, plus i have more time now to do it! (we all know what spring is like for gardening work).
The biggest problem with moving it now is that it it is starting to grow its flower buds. In order to move it i should prune it first but this would remove the upcoming flowers! The only way around this it to move it unpruned and then cut it back after flowering, but this is more chancy. I meant to prune it after the last flowering but forgot.
Any suggestions what i should do? i am in the 'mild south' so extreme cold shouldnt be an issue (he says optimistically!) and the planned new site is sheltered by other shrubs and a fence. Thanks