I have several Buddleia davidii, that did not die back last winter. They are about 6 feet tall now, but look a bit uneven. Also, they are flowing like crazy, but there are a large amount of spent flower-cones, which detract from the beauty of the bush. Should I deadhead the bush, or just let nature take its course?
2006-07-23 03:41:27 · 10 answers · asked by Elizoria 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
oops, "flowering" not "flowing"
2006-07-23 03:42:46 · update #1
p.s., I live in Zone 8-9 (Pensacola, FL)
2006-07-23 03:51:56 · update #2
Certainly, deadhead it; it will encourage more flowers. Dispose of the seed heads in the compost pile or into the trash. Buddleia is now banned in some states and is considered an exotic invasive in most states.
Prune the plants back to 6 - 8 inches from the ground every February. This will help to keep it from getting too large.
2006-07-23 04:25:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
I have six butterfly bushes in my yard and I deadhead them all the time. I trim them below the first set of leaves but above the second set. This year was the first that mine did not die to the ground. I just trimmed the whole thing in the spring while it was still dormant just to improve the overall shape. I did not cut them all the way to the ground, just a trim. They will need deadheaded often. I swear, every time I go outside I think " I just did this yesterday". But it only takes a few minutes and the bush looks all the better for it. Enjoy the Butterflies!!!
2006-07-24 03:30:32 · answer #2 · answered by Valkyrie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just trim the flowered cones. I live in Pensacola too and have 2 butterfly bushes. Mine are young, but I recall reading that you should remove the flowered cones to make room for new growth.
2006-07-23 18:57:40 · answer #3 · answered by pottersclay70 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i do...i dead head the bush because i think the spent flowers look bad...but last year it didnt bloom much so i left them on which i thot at the time was nice (this is the white one-- i lost a nanho purple this year) ...
also, i leave the bush as is thru the winter here in zone 5 and then cut it back to about 6 inches in the spring....
2006-07-23 10:48:35 · answer #4 · answered by KAREN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, dead-heading buddleias is fine and also means that you don't get thousands of buddleia seedlings growing in the most awkward places! You should also prune them every year quite hard. They will shoot again from the wood.
2006-07-23 10:47:30 · answer #5 · answered by Owlwings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, always trim spent flowers from bushes.
2006-07-23 10:45:38 · answer #6 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can trim it back and shape it up when it is done flowering to get the look you want
2006-07-23 11:06:14 · answer #7 · answered by aussie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, this will stimulate more flowering and make the plants more pleasing to the eye.
2006-07-23 10:45:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trim that bush honey!!!!
2006-07-23 10:44:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes....you'll get more blooms by deadheading
2006-07-23 12:40:28 · answer #10 · answered by msjudy58 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋