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how to trim my buddleja

hi i have never hard pruned my buddleja but i really need to can anyone tell me how much to take off and when its about 7'-8' tall the base is just bare trunk with a very heavy flower filled top any help would be great xx

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  • Keen 1Keen 1 Posts: 187

    Hi. These shrubs come within the realm of needing Spring pruning when it is suggested to cuth them well back to or towards ground level to encourage all that nice new growth and good flowering. I do this but since my bushes are all mature I cut them 2 thirds back in Spring. Do though ask the experts since I cannot and do  not claim to be thus.The Bees and Buttergflies wil love you.

  • so i can be quite harsh with it then as the bottom part just looks like tree no leaves or flowers at all x

     

  • Keen 1Keen 1 Posts: 187

    Hi. Last comment from me here - I always prune mine in Spring and I do not have "leggy ugly plants " all Summer as suggested here. The "expert" confounded perhaps. The whole idea of pruning  in Spring ( as with so many plants - even Roses) was/is to protect the plant itself and newly formed buds as much as poss - if they have all been pruned away in Autumn and a severe winter develops what then - sorry for my comments and I withdraw them  - I hope to send you some pics of my "leggy ugly plants" when they are flowering away like mad with masses of Bees and Butterflies on them beginning shortly. I will not respond further.

  • thank you ever so much i will wait for the stunning flowers to go as i dont want to take the food away from the butterflies (as this was the main reason for getting it) with the young tops that will be cut off can i replant these to make new plants or do i have to buy ones with roots sorry for all the questions x

  • Keen 1Keen 1 Posts: 187

    Hi all. The "expert" confounded?.  Heres a few pics of my  Spring pruned  "UGLY LEGGY BUDLEJAS"  - they look pretty good to me, smothered in buds. as every year.

    image

     

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    image

     

  • maryplainmaryplain Posts: 45

    I like to cut mine back by about a third in the autumn, this saves the base of the plant from damage by the wind catching the top growth and rocking the plant about. Then in the spring I cut it back again to about 2 feet high or even less. Haven't killed one yet!

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    That's what I do  maryplain especially as the wind here can be ferocious unless you create a nice little micro climate in the garden. I have a buddleia here which is like a tree at the bottom and will need to be moved so it'll be getting a big saw taken to it later in the year!

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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