[whistler]

Hi all,

I have a  raised perrenial bed which we have now built a stone wall around which is about a foot taller than the old sides.  My question is, do I have to dig up all the plants and replant them or can I just top up the soil ontop of the existing plants? I have hellobores, astilbes, perrenial geraniums etc. in there.

[mumofstig]

IMO If you bury them that deep most just wont grow through

[JayG]

Agree with Mum; most plants have an optimum planting depth which you can stretch by a bit but not by that much! 

[Goosegirl]

Definitely remove, top up and replant. It will also give you chance to replenish the soil with compost or very well-rotted manure and divide older plants by discarding the centre if it is not productive if that applies to them. Others - just divide and/or replant. You can bury weed seeds though!  

[whistler]

Thank you for the replies.

I have spent the afternoon digging up the plants  and refilling the new bed as I go,  I should have known it wouldn't be that easy! It will be worth it!!

Thanks again.

[Ice]

It certainly will be worth it.