Many gardeners prune their butterfly bushes all the way to the ground as winter approaches. Pruning Butterfly Bushes Like many other flowering shrubs, the butterfly bush must be pruned at the right time of the year to control it's shape and to encourage the most blooms. Butterfly bushes are low-maintenance plants. Pugster Amethyst Butterfly Bush Spacing. Maintenance & pruning: Butterfly bushes are best pruned in spring, once the new growth has begun to emerge. Living branches can then be pruned to the same height. In cold climates, treat as perennials, cutting back close to the ground in late winter or early spring. While it is low maintenance and easy to grow and take care of, it does benefit from the occasional pruning of dead flowers in order to keep this woody ornamental bush looking gorgeous. Butterfly bushes are a favorite among many gardeners. Flower spikes form on new wood, so watch for new growth if pruning in spring. Reflecting moonlight, the large flowers perfume summer nights with a sweet-honey fragrance and ethereal glow. Buddleia Pugster White - Common name:Butterfly Bush - Crisp-white blossoms provide a sense of peacefulness and classic elegance day or night. Buddleia Pugster® White requires no deadheading or pruning and blooms continuously and abundantly. Hardy in USDA zones 5 through 10, the butterfly bush thrives in most temperate climates with only minimal care and maintenance. If pests attack, immediately remove the infected branches and use an appropriate insecticide. The butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), a shrub native to China and Japan, produces clusters of colorful flowers that attract butterflies. At that point, cut just above where big, healthy buds appear. If you didn’t prune during the winter, it’s okay to prune just before a flush of new growth appears. Slow release fertilizer should be applied in the spring. A butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) is a beautiful and fragrant addition to any garden, yard or landscape. Butterfly bush has long been a staple in the Kansas City garden for a good reason. The showy, fragrant blooms attract all sorts of beneficial insects to your garden. But now, with these newer releases, there are even more reasons to include this plant in the garden. Importance of Regular Pruning. When the bushes break dormancy the following spring, give them some compost and fresh mulch. However, regular pruning is important for healthy blooms and also for removing the dead and damaged wood, which may attract harmful pests. This butterfly bush is adaptable to all soil types and PH levels. You may even find a hummingbird or two stopping by to enjoy the nectar inside the tiny flowers. When and how to prune a butterfly bush is a topic that comes up quite a bit with our readers. At this time, remove all dead plant parts. 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