When is the right time to cut back a Buddleia?

Question

We have a buddleia in the garden, planted two years ago and last year it grew to be quite big. When is the best time to cut it back to ensure best growth this year?

Answer 1

You cut back a buddleia when it is dormant.

Usually february is a good time to do this. (in my area anyway, the southeast).

this is of course if you have a common buddleia davidii and not an alternifolia.

Shrubs that bloom in summer get pruned in winter when dormant.



can give more details if needed.

Answer 2

Butterfly bush flowers on new growth, that is growth produced the same year as the flowers. So you can cut away now without a problem. In fact you can cut even after leaf-out for a few weeks but you must stop afterwards to give the plant time to make new growth and flower buds. The next time to prune would be after flowering if your plants still need some shaping.



If you are cutting back pretty hard, try to leave a leaf grouping or two so you know there is good live growth at that point. In theory you could cut the whole plant back to about 6"......but only if you do that every year. Older growth doesn't always have living buds. Look for life when you cut back.

Answer 3

Now is the right time to prune buddleia. Use a lopper and don't be afraid to cut back hard, down to the basic framework you want your young plant to develop from. wherever you cut to, it will shoot from just below there, even if you can't see any new shoots at the moment, because there will be dormant buds in the remaining stem. If you cut them back too early, or in Autumn, you risk frost damage to new shoots, but you can trim the long branches down a bit in autumn to reduce the risk of windrock loosening the roots over the winter. when you've pruned it, feed it well, preferably with compost or manure, and make sure the main stem is well mulched with no roots showing above ground because it has become loose over winter. Yes, buddleia is easy to grow, but that doesn't mean you should neglect it if you want a really good show of flowers in summer.

Answer 4

Buddleila[Butterfly bush] I would think about Nov/Dec when the flowers have stopped blooming. I have a Buddleila bush in my front garden and it's a August bloomer and I cut it back in December. In the following spring month it starts to foliate in May and it shows best in August.

Answer 5

When To Prune Buddleia

Answer 6

I cut mine back after it has finished flowering. Have had it a couple of years now and it looks quite healthy.

Answer 7

Flowers on new growth so a short back and sides now.

Answer 8

I have found them to be indestructible and hack mine about at any time to keep it under control

Answer 9

Any time and cut hard

Answer 10

Now , in its dormant stage.

Mikey say HACK that thing.......Take off about 2/3rds !