In the right spot, Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) is such a vigorous grower that it can eventually outgrow its space, leaving you with no choice but to move it. To give your shrub the best shot at its new home, you’ll want to dig it up as gently as possible.
Digging Up Your Butterfly Bush: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re dealing with a small, young shrub, moving it is a breeze. However, transplanting an old, established Butterfly Bush can be a bit of a challenge. The longer a plant has been sitting in one spot, the more stubborn it gets about moving!
Transplanting is a major “surgery” for a Butterfly Bush, so timing is everything. You’ll want to do this while the plant is dormant. Late fall (around October or November) is ideal, but you can also move it in early spring before the new growth starts popping up. Both windows give the shrub a little time to settle into its new neighborhood before it has to focus on growing leaves and flowers. (Of course, if you’re just removing the bush entirely, you can dig it up whenever you like!)
How to Dig It Up Like a Pro
With older shrubs, you have to be extra careful not to damage too many roots. Before you grab your shovel, prune the bush back by about a third and tie the branches together—trust me, it makes the whole process much easier to handle. Once you’re ready, follow these steps:
- First, mark out the root zone by cutting a circle around the bush.
- Use a sharp spade for a clean cut.
- A good rule of thumb: the radius of your circle should be about two-thirds of the shrub’s original height (before you pruned it).
- Drive the spade into the ground to the full depth of the blade.
- Next, switch to a garden fork. Use it to loosen the root ball within the soil.
- Rock the fork back and forth several times, gently prying the plant upward.
- Depending on how deep those roots go, you might need to repeat this a few times around the circle.
- Once the root ball feels loose in the hole, carefully lift it out.
- Depending on the size of the bush, you might want to recruit a friend or two for the heavy lifting!
Ideally, you should have your new location picked out and the hole already dug before you even start lifting the plant. Place the root ball into its new home, fill it in with soil, and give it a very thorough watering. Keep a close eye on it and keep the soil moist for the next few days to help your Butterfly Bush get established in its new spot.
