How can I tell if a butterfly bush is dead and what can I do about it?

Question

I transplanted my butterfly bush yesterday and now the purple buds are no longer purple and they are drooping.

Answer 1

Water it well the first 2 weeks after moving it-it may be experiencing shock from being moved.

Answer 2

It probably isn't dead, but in shock.  continue watering it and give it fertilizer.  

Since a butterfly bush tends to be a woody plant, it may be difficult to tell if it is dead.  the best way to tell is take a branch and bend it.  If it snaps right off and doesn't bend, than the plant may be dead.  Try this with a couple of branches.

Once again, since you just transplanted it, it probably isn't dead.  You may have to wait a while to see if the plant survives.  That could be a few weeks.  Good luck.

Answer 3

Unless you forgot to move the roots with the bush, it's not dead yet. I transplanted mine a few weeks ago and it was very unhappy. Water if thoroughly every few days, but don't drench it (roots can die if overwatered).