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Moving a buddleia

#1 · 23rd August 2021, 5:27 pm

When is the best time to move a buddleia? It’s quite small - only a year old - but is definitely in the wrong place and I would like to move it before it gets too big. Thanks

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#2 · 23rd August 2021, 6:25 pm

Quote from Lee Garden Ninja on 23rd August 2021, 6:25 pm
Hi Jools,
What a good question! People often get confused about when and how to move shrubs/buddleia in the garden. If done correctly moving a buddleia should be a walk in the park. However, if you move a shrub at the wrong time or don't follow the steps below you may end up with a sickly or even dead shrub in the garden which no one wants!
Buddleia is often known as the Butterfly bush as it is a magnet when in flower for butterflies and bees!
As a general rule, you want to move shrubs like buddleia either early spring or mid-autumn. If the shrubs are large you will need to reduce the existing growth to help restrict the amount of water loss /stress on the plant. For small shrubs ie ones that can be lifted by one person alone, a light prune is optional. Given yours is small it should be fine.
Moving plants in Spring: This is when they are ready to start growing again and about to burst back into life. This is the prime time to move them as they are ready to refocus their efforts on reestablishing their root system before they flower. This is one of the least stressful times for shrubs to be moved.
Moving Plants in Autumn: Mid Autumn just as plants start to go over or lose their leaves is also a suitable time. This is when they are ready for their winter rest. Moving at this time is also less stressful for the plant.
Why we try not to move plants when they are in flower/summer: Moving plants in summer or when in full flower is usually a risky move. This is because the shrub has put all its energy into flowering and if we lift and move them at this time they have the least resources to then re-establish themselves. They are at their most stressed and weakest state. So unless it's an emergency leave the shrubs where they are until either Spring or mid Autumn.
Once you have dug up the shrub aim to get it into its new position asap. Avoid lifting buddleia in full sun, early morning or late evening are the best time. Avoid lifting shrubs in the middle of heat wave too or when the ground is frozen!
3 Steps to Moving a Shrub:
Water the shrub thoroughly the day before you lift it
Only move shrubs early spring or mid-autumn
Once replanted water as if you had just planted it (because you have) for the first 2-3 weeks and in time of hot weather until its established)
Once the buddleia starts to get more established in years 2 and 3 it is worthwhile hard pruning back at least 50% of the shrub each year. This stops it from getting too woody and ensures equally spaced flowers. Buddleia has a habit of growing into large wild tree-sized shrubs if you're not careful. They are super vigorous so can handle a hard prune each year! Here's my guide to hard pruning shrubs like buddleia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6kz7ou_32c
Hope that helps!
Lee

Hi Jools,

What a good question! People often get confused about when and how to move shrubs/buddleia in the garden. If done correctly moving a buddleia should be a walk in the park. However, if you move a shrub at the wrong time or don't follow the steps below you may end up with a sickly or even dead shrub in the garden which no one wants!

Buddleia is often known as the Butterfly bush as it is a magnet when in flower for butterflies and bees!

As a general rule, you want to move shrubs like buddleia either early spring or mid-autumn. If the shrubs are large you will need to reduce the existing growth to help restrict the amount of water loss /stress on the plant. For small shrubs ie ones that can be lifted by one person alone, a light prune is optional. Given yours is small it should be fine.

Moving plants in Spring: This is when they are ready to start growing again and about to burst back into life. This is the prime time to move them as they are ready to refocus their efforts on reestablishing their root system before they flower. This is one of the least stressful times for shrubs to be moved.

Moving Plants in Autumn: Mid Autumn just as plants start to go over or lose their leaves is also a suitable time. This is when they are ready for their winter rest. Moving at this time is also less stressful for the plant.

Why we try not to move plants when they are in flower/summer: Moving plants in summer or when in full flower is usually a risky move. This is because the shrub has put all its energy into flowering and if we lift and move them at this time they have the least resources to then re-establish themselves. They are at their most stressed and weakest state. So unless it's an emergency leave the shrubs where they are until either Spring or mid Autumn.

Once you have dug up the shrub aim to get it into its new position asap. Avoid lifting buddleia in full sun, early morning or late evening are the best time. Avoid lifting shrubs in the middle of heat wave too or when the ground is frozen!

3 Steps to Moving a Shrub:

Water the shrub thoroughly the day before you lift it
Only move shrubs early spring or mid-autumn
Once replanted water as if you had just planted it (because you have) for the first 2-3 weeks and in time of hot weather until its established)

Once the buddleia starts to get more established in years 2 and 3 it is worthwhile hard pruning back at least 50% of the shrub each year. This stops it from getting too woody and ensures equally spaced flowers. Buddleia has a habit of growing into large wild tree-sized shrubs if you're not careful. They are super vigorous so can handle a hard prune each year! Here's my guide to hard pruning shrubs like buddleia.