Using an Antidesiccant
These products (wilt-pruf is one name) are essentially organic oils that are sprayed onto a plant. When the material dries, it creates a thin layer that blocks the leaf stomata. A blocked stomata (plant sweat pore) means the leaf can't lose moisture.
And losing moisture or wilting is the main cause of plant death in propagation or transplanting. I routinely spray my shrubs and definitely spray evergreens when they're transplanted in the spring. The roots can establish themselves and by the time the material wears off (60-90 days) the plant is strongly growing and doing well.
Annual and perennial plants grow right on through this material and new leaves are not bothered by it at all.
Antidesiccants can also be used to spray broadleafed plants in the late fall so winter burning is reduced. Full directions for this are on the label.
I also spray plants an hour or so before I take cuttings. This lets the material dry and harden and then when I take the cutting, it doesn't lose moisture and tends to root quite nicely without having to use rooting hormone.
As a final note, when you spray it looks like white foam but as it dries, it hardens up and turns clear so you can't see it. In this way, it works very nicely to preserve your plants while preserving the look of the garden.
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