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when should I prune Buddleia ?

Would appreciate any advice on pruning what I think is a Buddleia davide, read recently to prune back in early Spring, but think here I have read autumn time. Many thanks

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  • sotongeoffsotongeoff Posts: 9,802

    Quite honestly-you can't kill a buddleia-I have pruned in autumn and in the spring-it still comes back

    To me it doesn't make much difference-so would do it now

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,023

    I prune buddleia quite hard in early Spring because they flower on the new season's wood. General rule - prune early flowering shrubs after they have flowered and prune late flowering shrubs in late winter/early spring.

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Caz WCaz W Posts: 1,353

    My old buddleia gets pruned all the time.  It grows over the garden wall onto the pavement so have to keep it trimmed back.  It never seems to mind and has always had tons of flowers.

  • if you prune them now they will be fine,they will have bigger flowers in the summer,as some one said they are tough old things buddleias I have three different  colours,but you can kill them if you prune too much but having said that you'll find hundreds of seedlings everywhere,even on the roof tops!.They are better if they are pruned into a small bush not so "bomb site" looking as my husband would say.image

  • jo4eyesjo4eyes Posts: 2,058

    I do prune our 2 back a bit in the autumn to prevent wind rocking, but then do the proper pruning the following February. J.

  • donutsmrsdonutsmrs Posts: 487

    I agree with jo4eyes, I do exactly the same. Mine are in two large pots and really do well. I have had them for about ten years and they flower every year.image

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,138

    I chop mine back quite roughly at this time of year, to save them getting blown about in the autumn and winter winds, and getting their roots loosened by windrock.  Then in the spring, about when I do the roses (late Feb, early March, depending on weather) I tidy them up properly, cutting back to a bud, taking out weak and crossing growth etc. 

    But don't be afraid to cut them back hard, using a saw if necessary.  Every few years I  take a saw to mine, cutting  the main trunks back to about knee height.  It really rejuvenates them.image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ASPASP Posts: 6

    I am late to this October thread but have a query re. buddleia which were pruned last autumn.  They look dead.  The wood is flaking and I can't see any evidence of new growth on them. 

    • Does that mean I really have managed to kill them with pruning? 
    • Or are they slow this year because it has been a hard winter?
    • They are fifteen years old.  Have they reached the end of their natural life?

    Have I killed mu buddleia Advice would be very much appreciated.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,138

    Ours have been sprouting new shoots for some weeks image  Are yours in a very exposed situation?

    Has the ground around them been very boggy over the winter?

     

    If they are dead, it won't be anything you've done - it'll be old age coupled with a rotten winter.image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ASPASP Posts: 6

    I think it must be age and cold.  They are in a comfortable position - sheltered.  Ground isn't boggy either.  If yours are sprouting, then I think mine must be finished.  Have to plant something new!  Thanks for your reply.

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