Transplanting garden phlox (david)

I have 2 phlox (david) in my backyard that are not doing well. I think the butterfly bush that grew about 4 feet taller than expected is blocking their sun. Can someone tell me if I can transplant these guys now without hurting them. I have one in the front yard that has been wind blown and animals have walked on it and broken some stems, it has been so mistreated, but it is still blooming beautifully, and producing new stems that are just coming up. So can I move these guys now or do I need to wait for fall.
Thanks
Vicki

Hi Vicky, I think they would be fine if you moved them now and make them a better home, and to give them time to settle in before winter.
Amend the the new area with good soil and food.
Tills

Vicki - move them.
Be sure to dig deep to get as much root as possible.
Prepare new planting hole wider, but not deeper than the existing rootball.
Prior to transplanting, fill hole a few times with water to saturate the soil.
Move rootball, and soak WELL.
The plant may flag (sulk droopily), but should recover. However, I make a practice of pruning back my phlox prior to bloom - it flowers later and the blooms will be smaller, but you get more flowers.
I moved mine earlier this year because the dogs kept trashing it - wouldn't you know they waited to run through it until after it was moved!