As the name suggests, butterflies absolutely love the Butterfly Tree - and so will you! In fact, the flowers of this tall bush are a wonderful decoration for any garden. However, for these plants to continue to develop gorgeous flowers, you need to know how to prune them properly. Read the next steps to learn how you can properly prune the Butterfly Tree.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Prune the Butterfly Tree
Step 1. Wait for the right time of year to prune
There are two types of Butterfly Trees: Buddleia davidii and Buddleia alternifolia.
- Buddleia davidii] is a deciduous shrub with dark purple flowers that bloom from June to September. In some areas it is classified as a weed.
- Prune Buddleia davidii in early spring or late winter. Best to prune it before new flowers sprout in the spring. In climates with a rather severe winter, the plant is very likely to dry out completely.
- Buddleia alternifolia is a deciduous shrub with light purple flowers that bloom in spring.
- Buddleia alternifolia should be pruned mid to late summer, immediately after flowering. This type of Butterfly Tree blooms on the stems of the previous year. It blooms in spring.
Step 2. Look for signs of annoyance
The hassle is caused by the harshness of winter or by disease. Indeed, a particularly cold winter could cause your Butterfly Tree to dry out. When a plant becomes dry, the tips of the leaves or the roots begin to die, slowly leading to the death of the other parts of the plant and therefore of the whole plant. Drying is common in the Butterfly Tree in colder climates - in fact, this process often goes all the way to the roots in very cold winters. However, this does not mean that the plant cannot be saved - and that is the purpose of pruning.
The Butterfly tree is slow to break the dormancy period; this means that there is no need to check for any damage caused by winter as the plant may still only be in the dormancy phase
Step 3. Prune the Butterfly Tree
The pruning technique for this shrub depends on the variety you grow.
- Buddleia davidii - prune with a firm cut. Because the plant often dries up in winter, the Butterfly Tree can withstand intense pruning - and often requires it. Even if it does not dry out during the winter, cut the plant about 30 cm above the ground in late winter to ensure proper growth the following spring.
- Buddleia alternifolia - Cut the plant down to about a third of its size as soon as it blooms in early spring. Follow the shape of the shrub.
- If the plant is in the back of the garden against a fence and you want it to grow taller, cut the stems about 60 cm above the ground so that the plant produces more growth and flowering. Then you will be able to plant lower growing plants near the Butterfly Tree and be able to see the beautiful flowers of this plant.
Part 2 of 2: Promote the Development of Flowers
Step 1. Cut off dead flowers while the plant is in bloom
This means you should pluck or cut off dead flowers as the plant continues to bloom. The withered flowers will begin to turn brown and will have a very faded appearance. Cut dead flowers where they join the trunk. This will ensure that the Butterfly Tree produces more new buds in the flowering season than it would if left uncared for.
Step 2. Remove the withered flowers at the end of the season
At the end of the season, you should cut off all the now faded flowers. This will help the plant create new buds for the next year. This will also limit the possibility of the Butterfly Tree releasing seeds and spreading throughout your garden.
