Moving perennials during winter

I read your good suggestions for a move in winter, but they knew 6 months ahead of time. We are possibly moving in the winter in Iowa. It's December now, and possibly moving around February. I have iris, bluebells, several other perennial bulbs and non that if I can locate them under the snow, I would like to take. Can I do this, what is the best way to keep my plants in good condition and able to grow or it is possible? We have moved twice before, but always in September, so didn't have this issue. Some of these plants have sentimental value. Thanks for any advice!

Doug says that if you can find them, if you can dig them, and if you can protect them from freezing once you move them to their new location - then you "might" have a chance.

So - the plants are dormant. That's the good news.

The "other" news is that you can't freeze perennial flower roots - even though it looks like they're being frozen now. So no freezers or cold moving vans etc. But you can't warm them up either - or they'll start growing. (Refrigerator crispers are pretty good) :-)

Handling once you get to your new location - you didn't say where. So if it's warmer and you can get them into the ground - then replant immediately. Let the perennials handle it (or not) :-)

If it's equally cold - you have to either pickaxe them in or store in the frig crisper wrapped in paper bags so they don't dehydrate. (a bit of shredded paper "barely" moist is a good idea here as well but don't get it dripping wet. If you think it "might" be damp, it's enough. If you can feel the dampness, it's too wet)

Or you can pot them up at the new place and store cool. They'll probably start growing earlier than you want but .... (grow them in as cool and sunny a place as you have if they start sprouting and plant outdoors after all danger of frost)

This isn't something most folks do so while it is possible in theory - in practice it sounds like a lot of work for a few plants (particularly bulbs that are easily replaced) And I've never tried it - so can't guarantee this would work.

But that's the deal - you can't freeze them, can't dry them out and can't warm them up. Somewhere in the middle is a live plant that you can replant. Out of the plant's comfort zone is a growing plant (and the challenges that creates)