When and how to prune a butterfly bush is a topic that comes up quite a bit with our readers. If you didn’t prune during the winter, it’s okay to prune just before a flush of new growth appears. Flower spikes form on new wood, so watch for new growth if pruning in spring. Give butterfly bushes plenty of time to emerge in spring, especially in colder climates - this may take several weeks, even if other plants in your yard are already leafing out. Reflecting moonlight, the large flowers perfume summer nights with a sweet-honey fragrance and ethereal glow. Pruning Butterfly Bushes Like many other flowering shrubs, the butterfly bush must be pruned at the right time of the year to control it's shape and to encourage the most blooms. Butterfly bush has long been a staple in the Kansas City garden for a good reason. You may even find a hummingbird or two stopping by to enjoy the nectar inside the tiny flowers. Buddleia Pugster® White requires no deadheading or pruning and blooms continuously and abundantly. The showy, fragrant blooms attract all sorts of beneficial insects to your garden. In cold climates, treat as perennials, cutting back close to the ground in late winter or early spring. At this time, remove all dead plant parts. Slow release fertilizer should be applied in the spring. The butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), a shrub native to China and Japan, produces clusters of colorful flowers that attract butterflies. PRUNING BUTTERFLY BUSH When to prune butterfly bush: In mild climates, prune larger varieties in late fall or early spring to clean up and maintain shape. Pugster is the newest variety promoted as the plant with the largest flower clusters. While it is low maintenance and easy to grow and take care of, it does benefit from the occasional pruning of dead flowers in order to keep this woody ornamental bush looking gorgeous. If pests attack, immediately remove the infected branches and use an appropriate insecticide. But now, with these newer releases, there are even more reasons to include this plant in the garden. Importance of Regular Pruning. Maintenance & pruning: Butterfly bushes are best pruned in spring, once the new growth has begun to emerge. Buddleia Pugster White - Common name:Butterfly Bush - Crisp-white blossoms provide a sense of peacefulness and classic elegance day or night. Many gardeners prune their butterfly bushes all the way to the ground as winter approaches. However, regular pruning is important for healthy blooms and also for removing the dead and damaged wood, which may attract harmful pests. A butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) is a beautiful and fragrant addition to any garden, yard or landscape. This butterfly bush is adaptable to all soil types and PH levels. Butterfly bushes are low-maintenance plants. Butterfly bushes are a favorite among many gardeners. 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