Has anyone cut back their Butterfly Bushes yet in zones 6 or colder. The lower 1/3 of mine have remained green all winter this year. I haven't noticed any new growth yet so not sure if it is still too early to cut them back. The last two years all the leaves were brown and I just cut them back when new growth started.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

I haven't cut mine back yet (Zone 6b). I usually wait until I see new leaves starting to sprout which should be in a few weeks. I leave mine standing as long as possible since it is next to my bird feeder and provides cover for the birds.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, Since I still had so many green leaves on mine this year it kindo f through me a curve. I will definitely wait.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

While we're on the topic of these plants...

Is there anyone here that has planted buddleia [sic] from small (6-8") rootings? Mine took off last year like crazy, and they got to 2' tall and bloomed. Now here's what has me perplexed:

Yes, they stayed green all winter, no problem. Now, when everything is coming up, they are putting on these HUGE stalks from the roots that are three times the size of the plant in place. Those shoots are going straight up through the plants and they even have larger leaves. I'm wondering..are they grafted? Is this some non hybrid offshoot I should cut off, or is this the plant saying HELLO WORLD-I'M FEELING GREAT!

I've never grown buddleia (buddelia?) before. I have the Blue Adonais and the Dark (blue) Knight.

Thanks for any input.

Maryjane
W Ga
Zone 8a

This often happens with plants that are propagated from cuttings. They are coming from buried leaf nodes. Usually this fresh growth is much more vigorous and healthy than the original rooted stem and sure sign of success. Since the plant wasn't grafted it isn't problem growth from below the graft.

Thanks Ward! This is great news. They must like this clay, yay!

Maryjane
W Ga
Zone 8a

Penny, I have not cut mine back yet. I have three butterfly bushes and usually wait until they start putting on new growth before I start cutting. I may be wrong, but I've had these three for several years now and they are going strong.

kathy t.
shebly twp., MI
Zone 5/6

Thank you too Kathy. I did think it was a bit early to start chopping away but thought I would check with everyone else here too.

Mary Jane I started my first bush from a 4-6 inch cutting of my sil's bush that she chopped down. As I recall mine did the same thing yours is doing.



Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Well, from what I can tell, all 7 of our Butterfly Bushes didn't make it from what I can see. I broke a piece off of each and there is no green whatsoever. We may have to replace them all...oh well, they are relatively cheap anyway. Our 4 small bushes cost $3.50 each and the 3 tall ones were $12 each.
Everything else I planted that was a perennial has made it through the winter. Funny how we have several plants hardy to zone 6 that are putting on brand new leaves, but our Butterfly Bushes, supposed to be hardy for our zone 5 didn't make it...

Susan Louise
from Branford CT/ live in Lincoln NE
Zone 5