Advice on buddleia

heatherw_01

I have a buddleia (butterfly bush) that is still in flower.

It is very big and parts are in the way of the path. I want to cut it back but I am worried that it is too early and it might die.

Any advice as it is looking very messy.

Nile

We have buddleai bushes in our garden, to attract butterflies. I've noticed that butterfly numbers have been low so far this year so I wouldn't hack them down just yet.

I'm hoping we have some warm weather in the next couple of weeks and we see a few more butterflies in the garden,.......then I'll start to cut them back.

I am not a gardener so there may be better advice (from other members) to follow.;)

redfox

Buddleia is one of the plants that bloom on the current season's growth so shouldn't be cut back until late winter (March time) as that will then promote vigorous shoot growth in spring. If you cut it back now you may find it doesn't winter well. However, when you do prune it back you can cut it right back as this often really invigorates the plant and you'll have a much better display of flowers next year

JC67

I agree with what redfox says - I cut my buddleia back in March and it's amazing how quickly it grows again. However I wouldn't have thought that a bit of 'light trimming' to tidy it up would hurt it.

heatherw_01

Thanks guys... I will hold off cutting it back.

BTW I have had lots of butterflies this year for a change

moneywasternomore!

Ours has flowered well, but now has quite yellow leaves. Does it need dead-heading? Will wiat till March to cut back, as did it in autumn last year - though still grew hugely!

FirstClassMale

We got a Buddleai from my OH's mother earlier this year. She dug it out from the driveway and it was chucked in the back seat of my car for the 2hr journey home. It was planted nearly a week later and we were worried it would die but it has come on incredibly since then and we are now enjoying the visits by the butterflies and bees.
I have been told these shrubs are impossible to kill so I dont think a little bit of light pruning will do it any harm. The neighbour's dog regulary urinates on it with no ill effects. It has, however, killed my rhubarb and large patches of grass!

We also planted a bamboo at the same time which has had quite disappointing growth and it cost a lot more than the Buddleai, Well one was free and the other was reduced to clear!!

Maisie

If the dead flowers are accessible cut them off as it does encourage longer flowering.

heatherw_01

Thanks, will do some dead heading

swebb

I've had buddleia for several years in 3 different houses. You can hack them down to the ground and there'll come back. They do grow big, so it's worth shaping them as and when it space is a problem. I've cut them in spring, summer and autumn. The frost can sometimes kill new growth, but it always comes back.

It's very easy to take cuttings - I've had the most joy with these compared to other plants. Cut stems, about 15 inches in length and put them in the ground or a pot. I remember seeing this on a gardening programme. They did a whole lane and the next year they were all growing nicely.

skintchick

Yeah - you can't kill them. Prune whenever you feel like it and cut them right back otherwise you will eventually gets lots of dead wood that's thick and impossible to cut without a saw.