Butterfly bush

[chessie]

Do you cut back your butterfly bush?

This was the second year for my butterfly bush. Last year I didn't cut it back. I only deadheaded. This year I plan to cut it back to the ground. I have friends who do both. What have been your experiences? I also wasn't real diligent in my butterfly garden this year and I have several babies to relocate.

[bobbiwoz]

Mine is slowly dying. No help here, I think our winters are just too cold, or wet. Every spring it has been late coming to leaf, this past year it barely made it. I've had it for about 8 years. It's blooms did attract butterflies, and a hummingbird or two, so I'll probably get another one.

Best wishes for your success.

Bobbi :flower:

[WDWfan,uk]

- if this is the same plant as the plant we call Buddleia over here in UK, I remember getting a tip from a gardening expert, and that is that they should not be cut back until March, and that you cut back to the old growth at that time. This apparently prevents frost and cold getting to the lower part of the plant and root.

This tip has worked really well for our buddleias aka butterfly bushes.

Another tip that has worked well is to deadhead after flowering and this encourages the plant to flower for a second time - again, this has worked for us too :)