My butterfly bushes are HUGE...they need to be trimmed..?

Question

is fall the right time to prune them...and how much and where do I cut...thanks for your help.

Answer 1

The climate you live in somewhat dictates when you should prune.  If you live in an area that is warm and above freezing year round, then you could prune just about any time.  Just don't remove more than 1/3 of the plants size.  

If you live where there is winter and freezing temps, most likely the plant will die back to about 8-12" above the ground.  You can wait until spring to prune if you want or prune after the first good frost.  

Always prune back to an intersection on the branch.  It just makes for a neater looking job.  

But I would prune as late as possible because the butterflies who migrate will love a food stop!  We get several flocks of monarch butterflies stopping in our gardens every fall.  It's such a wonderful sight to see!  

Answer 2

You can prune them anytime and anywhere you want, They are very forgiving plants. Mine are in constant trim to keep them blooming and looking good. I just remove the spent flowers until they no longer produce them, then I cut them back as far as needed to make room for next years growth. (usually 1/3 to 1/2 of its size). If you live in a frost area, they can be pruned to just above the soil line. With that said, If you still have flowers, I'd wait at least a few more weeks. My buddleias have seen an invasion of giant swallowtail butterflies in the last couple of days, something that i surely wouldn't want to miss.

Answer 3

you can prune them in the spring before leaves and flowers. cut it small so it grows a bit in the summer.