Pruning Butterfly Bushes - Flower Patch Farmhouse

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If you’re like me, then you want your garden to look as beautiful as possible all year round. One way to achieve this is by pruning your butterfly bushes.

While it may seem daunting at first, pruning Butterfly Bushes is actually a very simple process that can be done by everyone. Read on for how to get the most from your Buddleia aka Butterfly Bushes and keep your garden looking great!

What is a butterfly bush and why should I prune it
When should you prune your butterfly bush
How to properly prune your butterfly bush
What tools are needed for the job
Tips on how to care for your new, trimmed up butterfly bush so that it will stay healthy and beautiful all year long!

white butterfly bush — White Butterfly Bush

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What is a butterfly bush and why should I prune it?

A butterfly bush, also known as a buddleia, is a flowering shrub that typically grows anywhere from five to ten feet tall. They are popular because they attract butterflies and other pollinators with their nectar-rich flowers. Butterfly bushes can be pruned to maintain their shape and keep them blooming throughout the season.

Without good pruning, many butterfly bushes can become unruly and rather wild-looking.

Read all about Butterfly Bush – Buddleia here!

grow Butterfly Bush

When should you prune your butterfly bush?

For most gardeners, the best time to prune your butterfly bush is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Some say to prune as you see new buds starting and that can be sometime later in Spring, closer to Summer.

There are no hard and fast rules on this and much can depend upon your local climate and conditions. For example, I need to prune mine in late Fall so that heavy winter snow does not damage it. They can even pull it out of the ground by the roots.

Unpruned butterfly bush branch broken from snow — Unpruned Butterfly Bush branch broken by snow

Just know this, pruning buddleia will not harm it. When I lived in the San Joaquin Valley, with long hot summers, I not only trimmed my buddleia – butterfly bushes in late winter but I also pruned them back hard in July. They would just become so rampant I had to. They would quickly grow back and bloom again.

So as you can see butterfly bushes are one tough shrub, very hardy and adaptable! A perfect plant for novice gardeners. (see post on Butterfly Bush care to read up on invasiveness)

Black Knight Buddleia with monarch butterfly on it, Butterfly Bush — Monarch Butterfly on Black Knight Buddleia – Butterfly Bush

How to properly prune your butterfly bush

If you are pruning in the Spring, cut your butterfly bush back to 2 feet tall. I have even pruned down to one foot. Just go for it and cut that baby back. If you wish to leave it a bit taller that is fine too.

When trimming butterfly bush for upkeep during the summer, you want to make sure to prune out dead or diseased branches. Remove any unwanted branches from around the base of your plant. This is how I make mine more tree-shaped rather than a shrub.

Next summer I will share how I prune to produce a more tree-like structure with my Butterfly Bush.

What tools are needed for trimming butterfly bush?

In order to prune your butterfly bush, you will need a pair of pruning loppers or a pruning saw. If you are just deadheading or pruning smaller size limbs pruners will work fine. It is also helpful to have a wheelbarrow for collecting the trimmed branches or lay them on a tarp to drag away.

Tools you’ll need or are handy

These tools are usually available at your local hardware store or garden center but each has a link where you can buy them online.

Garden Loppers
Garden gloves
Pruners
Garden Cart
Item Five
Organic Fertilizer

Tips on how to care for your new, trimmed up butterfly bush so that it will stay healthy and beautiful all year long!

After pruning your butterfly bush, it is important to water the plant thoroughly if you are not getting enough precipitation. This will help stimulate new growth. It’s also a good idea at this point to give your butterfly bush a dose of fertilizer for added energy!

Fertilizing is not necessary if you feed your soil regularly!