plant annuals.. that you can rip out.. if this explodes ... or that will at least be gone next year ....

i have never had luck wintering B over in my z5 MI ... at two different houses.. two different soils ... high TLC.. abject neglect ... they just didnt like me ...

do you have the micro climate you need for these???

i would not plant perennials ...

ken

Yes, I was thinking annuals or maybe some easy perennial that grows fast and doesn't mind being moved again. There are lots of things I can divide.

As to microclimate - my first one planted last year survived the winter. I must have something going for me.

Kevin

one of my usual fallback is:

'expect nothing .... and be pleasantly surprised when the plant exceeds such' ... lol

when you grow conifers.. and there is only usually one spring growth spurt.. which can be severely affected by last years planting/transplanting ... you really learn patience on 'expectations' ...

that said.. a B can and should have rather explosive growth... regardless ...

ken

I was wrong. The plant arrived today and it's the quart size. Maybe I can expect something significant this season.

Kevin

I have grown butterfly bushes from seed for several years. If it is a quart sized plant you can expect it to fill a gallon sized pot by fall and maybe even a few blooms. Some of those small bushes have very long blossoms. I had one with blossoms 11+ inches long. Kept it and gave 7+ Inch and smaller bloom ones away. Planted it in a bed last fall. Waiting to see this year if it continues to have those long blossoms.