A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2004 Butterfly Bush

Howdy all! I have a question about butterfly bushes: I never got around to cutting my bush back this past fall/winter, as I have the previous two growing years, and now it's starting to leaf out. I'm thinking it's too late to cut it back now..? And I'm wondering if I will be able to cut it back next season, without affecting it's blooming?
Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Chris

I think you can leave the bush for this year. Some people never cut them back, but I find that it makes them leggy instead of bushy.
I cut mine back in Feb. or early Mar., depending on the weather. You might wait a little longer in your area. When I see a little green, then I cut them back.
It won't hurt the flowers next year,as long as the shrub has not bloomed out. That's why I cut in back in late winter.
Don't worry, it should be fine this year. Good Luck!!!!! <img border="0" alt="[clappy]" title="" src="graemlins/clappy.gif" />

I know what you mean by looking "leggy"; that's exactly what I don't want. I'll just be happy if it'll still 'bush out' next year, but I'm definitely going to leave it alone for this one.
Thanks, Mom54!

As long as you dead head it will be fine this year. I'm in the south and I cut mine back a lot. I have two of them and it doesn't seem to cause any damage. If it gets too leggy just dead head not allowing growth other than the flower.

I wish I could say I had thought of that, Sheri, but I'm a little thick! (Perhaps I need pruning?!) I will definitely try that technique, (dead-heading the growth, except flowers), if it begins to get too leggy. Thanks!