I don't know that I have enough experience to answer your question about when to move your Wendy's Wish- hopefully someone in your zone can advise. For us it is an annual and this is the first year it has been available locally. We have 2 in containers (alone but still finding as you have that they need much more room). We also have 2 in ground in different areas of the back yard. Oh boy, do they get big, bigger than was stated on the tag!! So... I did not really allow enough room even in ground! Have had to prune several times to keep them from overrunning their neighbor Salvias (Amistad and Black and Blue). But oh they are beautiful! Yes the bloom stalks get leggy- in fact I usually end up trimming them off before the final blooms at the tip come out because they do get so long and there are so many! But it is a beautiful Salvia so next year I think we will get only one and put it in a spot where it has enough room. I love the blooms, the foliage and the color of the calyces. If I were in your position I would want to do exactly what you are doing. Good luck!