Butterfly Bushes: cutting back to transplant

[Chiefs Mess]

I have 3 BB and they really spread this year. I do plan on moving them to a better location but I was wondering if I could do it now instead of Spring. I usually cut them back in Feb. I have to cut the bushs to transplant though, will this hurt them. I am in zone 7, last night was down in the 20's. Should I wait and just trim the branches right now that are blocking the sidewalk?

Thanks for your help!

 

[injunjoe]

I am not much help on freeze type questions, here I just cover and pray!

But When you say Butterfly Bush it covers a lot of different plants.
It is a very common, common name!

Strange you are dodging the cold and I am watching a tropical system headed at me!

Joe

 

[vfem]

I'm guessing you are talking about the common purple branchy bush that gets tree size. I already cut my mother's back, it was a monster!

We cut her's back last month. I would go ahead and do it now if you need to. They are very resilient.

 

[patandchickens]

I'd wait til they're no longer actively growing (which is *probably* now, but it's been too long since I've lived in that region and I just don't trust my memory any more) and then do what you like. They're hard to kill

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[desertwillow]

I have butterfly bush and I prune them about now before they start growing for the season. I have never transplanted them but I would treat them like you would if you were transplanting or planting bare root stock and wait until your last freeze date for your area. I live in zone 8b and if I order plants from a nursery they won't ship until after March 15th, my last freeze date.