Transplanting Cardinal Flowers and Butterfly Bush in Fall

Immediate Aftercare

Since you're in northern Ohio and ground isn't frozen yet:

• Butterfly bush: Wait until spring to prune. It's already stressed from transplanting.
• Cardinal flowers: Trim back foliage now or wait until spring.
• Both: Apply liquid root stimulator (e.g., SuperThrive) to encourage root establishment.

Winter Protection

Mulch heavily with straw or shredded leaves after ground freezes. Water during winter thaws if soil is dry.

Spring Follow-Up

Prune butterfly bush hard in early spring (6–12"). Cardinal flowers will emerge from crown. Fertilize both with balanced slow-release fertilizer when new growth appears.