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This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan and by wikiHow staff writer, Savannah Vold. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
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Gorgeous, purple Buddleia bushes are sure to bring a smile to anyone who sees them! Buddleia (Buddleia davidii), also known as butterfly bush, is a shrub with multiple shoots that tends to grow and flower fast. This honey-scented bit of heaven is also a favorite of pollinators like bees and butterflies and is excellent at encouraging them to visit your lovely garden! In this article, we’ll teach you exactly when and how to prune these beautiful buds and provide aftercare tips to ensure they stay healthy year-round. Read on for fabulous flowers!
Things You Should Know
- Prune your buddleia in early spring by cutting all branches at a 45-degree angle with pruning shears until they’re 1 foot (30 cm) tall.
- Remove old or diseased branches at the root by digging them up with a shovel. This will eliminate overcrowding and help your buddleia to produce new blooms.
- Deadhead dead or dying buddleia flowers during or after blooming season by cutting them directly under the bloom at a 45-degree angle using pruning shears.
Steps
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Prune most buddleia varieties in early spring. The first month of spring is typically the recommended time for pruning; however, when to prune your buddleia ultimately depends on where you live. Severe frost, present in late spring in some areas, can cause damage to buddleia. As a rule of thumb, wait until the weather's been consistently warm and above freezing for a few weeks before pruning.[1]- Hold off on pruning if you see freezing temperatures or snow in your 10-day forecast.
- Waiting until later in the summer or fall to prune can be deadly for the buddleia. If new growths do not harden before winter, the cold will kill them, resulting in a dead plant the next spring.
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Prune alternifolia and globosa buddleia varieties in midsummer. These buddleia varieties flower on the previous season's growth (old branches), so pruning in spring would remove flower buds. Instead, cut back the branches of these varieties at a 45-degree angle by 1/5th-1/3rd in mid to late summer after flowering.[2]- Always leave 1-2 sets of buds on the branches.
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Cut all branches to 1 foot (30 cm) tall using pruning shears.[3] Even if there is no sign of rot or damage to existing branches, cut all of the branches above 2-3 sets of buds at a 45-degree angle using pruning shears or a pruning saw in early spring. Ensure the final height of the branch is no less than 1 foot (30 cm) tall.- These thinning cuts will stimulate bloom production, making for a spectacular flowering come late summer and fall.[4]
- Don't be alarmed by how much you cut from the plant, as intense pruning helps the buddleia grow new flowers when the rainy season passes.
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Remove old, diseased branches at the root with a shovel. Buddleias can become stifled and produce fewer blooms if too many branches sprout. If your buddleia bush is crowded, use a shovel to dig out the unnecessary branches at their roots. This will prevent them from re-blooming in the coming season.[5]- Old stems typically have peeling, gray-brown bark, while new branches are green.[6]
- Diseased buddleia branches will appear misshapen or have yellow/brown growth.
- Butterfly bushes are also prone to mildew which will present as furry patches on the bark and foliage.
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Deadhead spent blooms throughout the flowering season. Use your pruning shears to cut directly under the bloom at a 45-degree angle to deadhead dead or dying buddleia blooms. Periodically deadheading your beautiful buddleia bush throughout the summer months will help keep your plant trim and tidy while encouraging new growth.
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Spread 6 inches (15 cm) of mulch around the buddleia in early spring. Spreading mulch or compost around the stump of your buddleia plant will help it retain moisture and fight off unwanted weeds. Add about 6 inches (15 cm) of mulch or compost along the stumps of the plant and get excited for the gorgeous blooms that are soon to come thanks to your hard work and tender loving care.[7] -
Water your buddleias once a week. While buddleias are great at tolerating drought, they prefer well-drained, not bone-dry soil. Watering your buddleia around once a week ensures that young branches get the attention they need to mature and produce the best blooms around, come summertime.[8]- Regularly check the soil surrounding the plant to ensure it's damp. If it feels dry, water the soil until it moistens slightly.
- Water the buddleia twice a week or more if you live in an area experiencing a drought or sweltering temperatures.
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Plant new buddleias 5-10 feet (1-3 m) away from existing plants. Buddleias are extremely fast-growing and branch out in stems. If you decide to plant more buddleias, keep the new plants at least 5-10 feet (1-3 m) away from existing plants to ensure your lovely buddleias have adequate space to thrive.[9]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionDo you cut off dead flowers on a butterfly bush?
Lauren KurtzLauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
Professional GardenerThe bloom time will be extended if you deadhead the dead flowers, so it's a good idea to remove them. -
QuestionDo butterfly bushes come back?Lauren KurtzLauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
Professional GardenerYes, in appropriate climates a butterfly bush will come back year after year. If the conditions are not ideal, though, they may not come back. -
QuestionCan I prune my buddleia at the end of May?Lauren KurtzLauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
Professional GardenerThe end of May is not a good time to prune your buddleja. Cut back 6 to 12 inches from the ground in the early spring.
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1221/
- ↑ https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/buddleja-alternifolia/
- ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/pruning-flowering-shrubs
- ↑ https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1221/
- ↑ https://extension.unh.edu/sites/default/files/migrated_unmanaged_files/Resource003548_Rep5074.pdf
- ↑ http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/butterfly-bush.aspx
- ↑ https://gardendoctor.org/buddleia-butterfly-bushes-after-flowering/#step-2--mulch
- ↑ https://ucanr.edu/sites/CalaverasCountyMasterGardeners/files/175303.pdf
- ↑ https://ucanr.edu/sites/CalaverasCountyMasterGardeners/files/175303.pdf
About This Article
Prune your buddleia in early spring by cutting back all the branches to the ground. Stop pruning once your stems are about 1 foot in length to avoid harming the plant. Since buddleias can become overcrowded if too many branches sprout, remove older branches completely. Then, throughout the flowering season, deadhead spent blooms. For tips on how to care for your buddleias after you prune it, keep reading our Horticulturist’s advice!
Reader Success Stories
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"I have a buddlia globose and wanted to know if deadheading would extend the flowering time and when to prune. The information helped. Thank you."..." more
