Friday, March 7, 2014
Pruning Buddleia Butterfly Bush
Buddleia davidii |
When To Prune Buddleia: Buddleia davidii blooms on the new wood of the season and should be pruned in late winter /early spring to encourage new growth. Prune before new growth starts to appear to approximately 12 inches (30 centimeters) above the ground. Buddleia are a type of plant that highly benefit from a severe pruning. "Hard" pruning Butterfly Bush promotes many new arching branches with larger flowers than if the plant had not been pruned.
Later in the Season Pruning: It is also beneficial to prune off dead and faded flowers once the flowering season has completed. With regular "deadheading" or removal of spent flowers your Buddleia will put its energy back into producing even more flowers well into fall. In colder climates, never prune completely to the ground in Fall for it can be detrimental to the plant. It is best to wait until late winter/early spring to perform this task.
Retaining Height of Buddleia: If you chose to use your Buddleia as a backdrop shrub simply allow it to grow larger then prune new growth so that the plant is approximately 24 inches (60 centimeters) in height. Also by keeping the height in the center of the plant a little above the sides, the plant will grow in a nice shape appearing taller. In either case, whether you choose to keep your plant higher as a backdrop or lower in front, a hard pruning will always benefit your plant and encourage new growth for the season.
Buddleia Lo & Behold Blue Chip |
Happy Gardening!
Author: Lee @A Guide To Northeastern Gardening Copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved.
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