Marianne's Response

Tips to prune/transplant a butterfly bush?

Hello Marianne,
Wondering how to prune back a vigorous “dwarf” butterfly bush for moving. It’s too big for where I initially planted it. It’s a beautiful bush, planted from a four inch pot I got at a nursery in Long Beach or Westport a few years ago. Don’t have a tag.

I am going to give it to my daughter who has more sunny spots than I do– have to cram everything in to get the sun!
Thanks for info.
Love this sight!

Posted by Suzbo on July 2, 2022

Marianne's Response

You can prune a butterfly bush or buddleah right after it blooms if you just want to tidy it up and you can also wait until early spring and cut this shrub back to six inch stumps coming from the ground. Wait until early spring or winter to transplant. Cut it back hard, then just dig and move the rootball. The butterfly bush is one tough shrub and I hope your lucky daughter enjoys all the pollinators that will flock to it next summer. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti