Can a butterfly bush be transplanted after it has been planted in the ground for 13 months? It was given in memory of my 20 year old son's murder in 7/06. My sister says it will die and I should buy another one, but it was given by my brother and I want THAT BUSH because it was bought for a special purpose! Please tell me it will be safe to move it to my new home.
Yes, you can transplant a butterfly bush. I see that you are from Pennsylvania and I think that is gardening zone 5 so it would be better if you waited till spring to do it. I would cut it back some then and then transplant. It should be fine. They are very resilient.
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I live in south eastern ct. and I planted a butterfly bush 3 years ago. It is taking over that part of my garden. Can I transplant a portion of it or do I have to transplant the whole thing? mskimberlyr AT aol.com
I moved one and it died shortly after. I would take some cuttings to root just in case something happens to the original bush. The cuttings root and grow quite easily.
I just transplanted a butterfly bush that was about 2 years old. I didn't read until today that I should have pruned it back before I transplanted it. Is is too late for me to do it now? It's about 6 feet tall and now I'm worried about the possibility of damage over the winter.
By Betsy T.
If I plan to transplant my butterfly bush in the spring, should I prune before I transplant or transplant and then prune?
By Sally
Butterfly bushes do best when pruned before transplanting. You want to chop it back as much as possible, dig up as much of the root ball as possible, and replant very soon. It may take a year or so to grow back to full size, but that isn't usually a problem.
I transplanted a 6 foot, 2yr old butterfly bush today. Now I am wondering if I should have waited until spring. It was over-crowding everything in my garden. I feel that I got a substantial root-ball and I will mulch it very well. I do not intend to cut it back before spring. Any suggestions or re-assurance would be very welcome.
By Mrs. T
Most important is keeping it watered and letting the root system get going again. If you normally cut it back before spring you can still do so. As a matter a fact it may help the plant get established to cut it back.
