How Far Back Do I Cut My Butterfly Bush?

Butterfly bush benefits from pruning.

Butterfly bushes can handle severe pruning if done at the right time. The bush produces attractive flowers on new growth, so pruning helps the bush grow and thrive during the next growing season.

Timing

The bushes should be pruned before they produce new growth in the spring while the bush is still dormant. Late winter or early spring works best.

Early Spring Pruning

The butterfly bush can be pruned back to its woody framework. The pruning encourages new growth to begin, creating a stronger framework of branches. You may need to prune the framework after a few years as woody stems may get too thick. A slight thinning of the old wood will do the trick.

Summer Pruning

During the summer, you may need to prune your butterfly bush to keep it looking neat and tidy in the landscape. Pruning should be kept to a minimum in the fall, though, since cutting the branches before the plant goes dormant may result in winter injury or even death.

References

• North Carolina State University Extension: Pruning Shrubs
• North Carolina State University Extension: Time of Pruning Effects on Cold Hardiness of Butterfly Bush
• University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service: Shrubs - Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)

Resources

• Iowa State University Horticulture & Home Pest News: Growing Butterfly Bushes in the Home Landscape