A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2005 Butterfly bushes

Hi, I would like some advice on these butterfly bushes that I have in my front yard. They did GREAT this year and got HUGE (they were planted last year) I would like to know if I can split these, and how because I would love them in other places in my yard. also when is the best time to transplant a healthy plant, spring or now. and how much should I cut them back. (I cut them off, at the ground, last year cause I thought they were weeds hehehe) I live in south west Michigan zone 6 any info would be great.
here is a picture
PS I have been cutting the brown done blooms off are you suppose to do that? ok maybe I won't put a picture because I don't know how.. oh well Thanks Again!

HI heidi_ho80 Heres a rule to go by.
Divide and transplant spring bloomers in the fall and divide and transplant fall bloomers in the spring.On Butterfly Bush's I prefer dividing and transplanting in the spring because the foliage has died back. This Will also give them an entire growing season to become established in their new spots.
Butterfly Bush's can ( ONLY) be divided if there is more than one trunk at the base.Normally because they are so woody they are propagated from cuttings not divisions.I prune mine back in early spring i leave them about 8 inches tall but some people cut them to the ground.hope this helps.your friend in gardening.mike57

Heidi - those brown blooms that you are cutting off have tons and tons of seeds on them. I usually deadhead mine during the growing season too, but at the end of the season I leave a few on the bushes.

You wouldn't believe how many baby bushes I get the following spring underneath the original bush!!! Once you learn how to identify them

Good luck, Lynne

Lynne, do the seedlings usually come true to type from the parent plant? Thanks.

Hi John ~

Sorry I can't answer that for you, because I had originally planted 3 different colored bushes together in the same area, and the babies have been some of each.

Oh well, its still worth a try I guess. Thanks.

Thank you all for your advice!