When do you trim butterfly bushes?

Part 1. Pruning Your Butterfly Bush. Prune your Buddleia davidii in early spring or late winter. Buddleia alternifolia (Alternate leaf butterfly bush) is a deciduous shrub with light purple flowers in the spring. Buddleia alternifolia should be pruned in mid to late summer, right after it has bloomed. read more

In fact, butterfly bush pruning can take place just about any time of the year. However, certain pruning techniques will help promote more vigorous growth and healthier blooms. Generally, most butterfly bush pruning should take place during the winter months, in warmer climates, while the plant is dormant. read more

If you have a Buddleia davidii, prune it with a hard cut. Because they do often dieback in the winter, this type of butterfly bush can handle intense pruning--and often requires it. Even if your butterfly bush doesn’t dieback during winter, prune 6”-12” above the ground in late winter to ensure proper growth the following spring. read more

Butterfly bush bloom on new wood so as long as you have plenty of sunlight, you’ll get lots of blooms throughout the summer by pruning in the spring. Butterfly bushes do not need to be pruned every year. read more