When is the best time and how ruthless can you be?
2006-10-01 00:37:05 · 10 answers · asked by simon m 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
In a lot of areas Butterfly Bushes will die to the ground on their own every winter. Come summer they spring up true to form. Cutting them back will promote more flower development and help keep them from becoming too out of control. I cut mine back to about a foot in early spring before new growth starts to appear. I also remove any lower branches that are growing sideways or tangled in other branches. I'm in zone 6. Don't worry, as long as the roots are established, they are tough plants and a good pruning will do them good. Best of Luck!!!
2006-10-01 00:54:56 · answer #1 · answered by Valkyrie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Butterfly bushes or Buddleia's should be pruned back hard. Do this in March, cutting last years growth to within 2 inches of the old wood. This can be repeated every 1-2 years to keep growth young and vigorous.
2006-10-01 07:42:50 · answer #2 · answered by rich 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very difficult to kill one by overpruning - be ruthless. Prune out all weak shoots, and everything else to about 12 inches high, between october and february.
2006-10-02 09:58:32 · answer #3 · answered by rowanflower 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be as ruthless as you want. Prune it now or in the spring it doesn't really matter!
2006-10-02 17:43:33 · answer #4 · answered by H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I cut mine back hard at this time of year (this is when I turn into a butcher - my favourite garden task) and I've never killed one. They are very resilient and next summer it will be lovely and bushy. You got good advice about taking a cutting from a flowerless branch - I find the lower down the plant you take the cutting the more likely it is to survive.
2006-10-03 05:34:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
prune back really hard whenever the need arises,theyr'e as tough as old boots.Pruning needed as flowers are only bourne on new growth,if pruning now take cuttings fom flower free stems and they should have a root system for spring.
2006-10-01 07:58:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When it finishes flowering, about now, yes you can be very brutal
when cutting back, Ive cut my butterfly bush down to about two foot and it will be back next year.
2006-10-02 13:41:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
prune it right back in March
2006-10-03 08:02:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work at a greenhouse..and we cut back buterfly bush every year...October...or Early Nov..we cut them back to about 6 inches tall.They come back and do well.Good luck to you.
2006-10-01 08:08:25 · answer #9 · answered by rosesrbl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your bush in late fall two inches from the ground cut it completely down. i have fourand they end up huge every year.
2006-10-01 07:43:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋