Regular pruning of flowering shrubs will keep the plant to an attractive shape and will encourage large, healthy flowers. In general, pruning is only necessary for mature shrubs, so wait a year or two after planting before starting to prune.
The stems of the butterfly bush, Buddleja davidii , should be cut right down to the base, leaving a woody clump. Cut just above the first shoot at the bottom of the stem. Even by the end of a single season the stems can be thick and woody, so you will need loppers or a pruning saw rather than a pair of secateurs.
After cutting back all the stems you will be left with an unattractive stump, but not cutting it back could result in a shrub 3m tall with a solitary flower at the tip, similar to those found on railway embankments. The Russian sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia , should be treated similarly, but waiting until late spring to do it will lessen the chance of frost damage to shoots. The majority of shrubs that flower on new growth are not as vigorous as Buddleja or Perovskia , and cutting back all the stems can leave a shrub looking thin and weedy.
The best strategy is to remove about a third of the stems by cutting them down at the base. If you are unsure how much of the shrub to cut down, err on the side of caution, cutting back fewer stems.
Hydrangea paniculata, for example, can end up as an ugly stump if all of it is cut down continually. Cut any dead, overcrowded and thin stems back to the base, but cut back the flowered stems to the next bud. Not all plants in a genus should be pruned the same way.
Buddleja alternifolia , for example, flowers on stems that have grown the previous year, so removing these stems in the spring would leave you with no flowers. As soon as its flowers have died, follow down along the stem and cut just above a new shoot. Cistus, the sun rose, and Convolvulus cneorum also flower on previous-season growth. These are shrubs that will continue flowering and maintain a neat shape without any pruning. However, vigorous new shoots produce the most flowers, while older branches produce few or none at all.
Removing flowering shoots just after they have flowered will stimulate the plant to produce more flowers. Cut the flowered stems off just above a bud about a half to two-thirds down the stem. Some flowering shrubs do not benefit from annual pruning. This article has been viewed , times. Buddleia Buddleia davidii , also known as butterfly bush, is a shrub with multiple shoots that tends to grow and flower fast.
The buddleia is a favorite of gardeners, due to its fragrant scent and its attractiveness to pollinators. As the buddleia grows quickly, you will have to prune it each spring before it begins to grow. 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. Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account.
Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. Prune your buddleia in early spring. When you prune your buddleia matters greatly in terms of care. You should always prune your plant in early spring. Usually, March is the recommended time for pruning. However, when to prune truly depends on your region.
Severe frost, present in late spring in some areas, can cause damage to a buddleia. Making a decision on when to prune your buddleia heavily depends on the weather in your area. As stated above, if you prune too soon early spring frost can harm the plant. However, waiting until later in the summer, or even the fall, can be deadly for the buddleia. If new growths do not harden before winter, they will be killed by the cold. This results in a dead plant the next spring.
Keep an eye on the forecast, especially if you live in a colder area or an area with unpredictable weather patterns. If you see freezing temperatures or snow in your 10 day forecast, hold off on pruning. Wait until the weather's been consistently warm and above freezing for a few weeks before pruning.
Cut back hard in the spring. Buddleias bloom on new wood. Even if there is no sign of rot or damage to existing branches, cut all of the branches back to the ground in early spring. This will stimulate blooming and growth from your buddleia during the flowering season. You prune the plant by cutting these stems downward towards the ground.
Stems should be at least a foot tall. Stop pruning once your stems are about a foot in length. Trimming any shorter could cause damage to the plant. When you finish pruning your buddleia, it should look somewhat like a stag's antlers. Don't be alarmed by how much you cut from the plant. The right equipment can turn your garden from average to awesome, so before you start pruning your buddlejas, make sure you have secateurs, a pruning saw, and long-handled loppers in your tool kit.
Using your secateurs, start by trimming back the top growth to around half its original height. This will make it easier to see what you are doing and will give you better access to the base. Next, grab your loppers or pruning saw and cut through the thick stems, at around 30cm above ground level. If possible, prune just a little higher than a growing shoot or bud. If you would prefer the plant to grow more than 3m in height, you should aim to leave the stems up to about 60cm long.
Staying with your pruning saw or loppers, remove any dead branches or stubs. To minimise the chance of dieback, try to cut these back flush with the trunk. While you are doing this, remove any twiggy growth that you see growing from the base and thin out any crossing branches that you come across.
Again, do not fret about being too heavy-handed — this shrub will bounce back with a vengeance! While pruning buddleja, you should aim to produce a short but solid framework of five to six main branches. Before finishing up and making yourself a well-deserved brew! Thanks for reading our buddleja pruning guide. Hopefully, you will now be inspired to maximise the potential in your beautiful garden. By taking care of pruning on the front end, the less work you will need to do in the long haul.
Pruning is all about the long term, and the best things are worth waiting for, after all.
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