I've moved some shrubs at inopportune times, and they *DO* wilt! I usually set up sprinklers to dampen the leaves off and on without saturating the soil after the first good soaking. They always seem to rebound.

It's very tempting to remove some of the top growth from these, but I've been advised (strongly! by the folks on the shrubs forum) to restrain myself and just let them sit there with wilted leaves. It's worked well, so now I know that the old idea of "balancing top growth after root loss" is not a good idea; it was a theory that held sway for many years but was not based on the actual performance of shrubs in the field.

I also have tried setting up umbrellas and other kinds of shade for shrubs after moving them. This really seems to help too.

Migraines have to be one of the worst things to go through - hope you don't suffer from these very often.

Ponce, I bet those butterfly bushes will recover in time for winter without a problem. I bought a couple of them this summer too and planted them in July. They were growing pretty well-- until we had our deck painted and one of them got dusted with white paint! I thought paint on the leaves meant certain demise but so far, so good, because it still seems to be thriving. In fact, I'm waiting for someone to ask me about my white-leaved hybrid. Hope yours fares as well!

thanks for the advice, digging. fortunately, i had already done as you said. didn't touch the things once they were back in the ground. hubbie suggested trimming them back once he saw the wilt but i talked him out of it. i'm just going to leave them alone and hopefully they'll rebound.

deen, LOL.

I moved one at my client's garden a few years ago--it did wilt but survived just fine and is in bloom now. I did end up cutting it back a bit after a few days of wilting because I was worried about it. I guess it didn't make a difference.

Hi guys, like those butterflies. True you are. Butterflies are tough. Just remember to much water is as bad as none. Let the soil to temper (dry to touch) and keep it that way as you water for about ten days. Watch late settings; freeze kills with water. Cutting can make some difference, more shock than most. The leaf is a good indicator. Remember those loved ones, you can take a cutting from a growing limb of your favorite, a little hormone dust or liquid, some potting soil, and your friend remains in 4 to 6 weeks. Root cuttings work wonders also. Grow them butterflies.