I'm in 5a and I haven't noticed any growth on mine yet. I haven't pruned them yet either. I usually go down to no higher than a foot off the ground once I see some signs of new growth, sometimes earlier. If it died back further I go back and cut off some more later. If it doesn't come back, and you have trouble overwintering them you may want to consider starting some from seed. For years I bought cultivars in the store and they usually didn't live more than a year or two and never got very big or healthy looking. Then I started some from seed via wintersowing and planted out five plants that are still going strong more than five years later. I think the straight species is much hardier than the cultivars you buy in the stores. It does get huge though and is invasive in many areas. I try to keep mine deadheaded to prevent problems.

I had to try real hard not to buy any butterfly bushes while waiting for my order. They all look so good and large at the local nurseries that I browsed through. Mine came yesterday as well. The are a good sized plant to come through the mail and the soil was still moist when I opened the box. (But then of course I live in Calif. and this nursery they are coming from is in Calif.!) I just love starting with small plants because they do so much better for me. I already stocked up on potting soil. I think most of these new guys will go in to pots for a bit.

If these are not a variagated Hybrid, it may be best to just destroy them, as the regular green-leaved on is are on the Invasive Species list for the Pacific NW. Maybe make some bouquets from remaining blooms and then just hack 'er down? READERS: if you are keeping one in your garden be sure to cut off ALL spent flower heads BEFORE they set seed...and consider removing the shrub before selling or renting your property, as the next owners may not take responsibility to do so. THANX!

Oh, heck. I did 'em up and move 'em all the time. They might play dead, as crape myrtles do, but they're weeds. They recover. I'd wait until late fall, although they're evergreen, they do have a dormant stage. Same advice as usual. Get as much rootball as you can, and water deeply. You might lose 1/2 the shrub, but cut it back and it'll grow out fine..