transplanting spiderwort

Spiderwort roots seem fairly shallow - do I need to cut back when transplanting?

Doug says that given you're moving the plant when it's dormant, and no top growth, then you can easily cut back the dead top growth. Don't however plan on moving it in the height of the summer - if you do, then cutting back and/or spraying with anti-desiccant might help keep it alive (that and soaking it daily).

This is a plant that thrives on damp soils. Let it dry out or stress it with drought/transplanting and it really isn't going to be very happy.