When do I start the process of pruning a butterfly bush?

Answer by  wights (73)

This is the one of the easiest bushes to grow. Pruning the butterfly bush can occur at any time of the year. To prune them, remove all dead and diseased limbs and prune to look. You can also prune down to a foot from the ground and watch it grow.

Answer by  MrTudor (8)

Well, you can start pruning a butterfly bush any time of year but generally pruning should take place during the winter time in warmer climates. In the winder the plant is dormant. It is my understanding that pruning in the spring has no ill effects, the condition is to wait until the frosty winter has passed.

Answer by  MrPKitty (329)

You should prune a butterfly just before the on set of winter. But not to early, November is a good time. Feel free to prune it back to a height of four feet, this will keep a heavy snow from crushing the bush.

Answer by  gratia (29)

Butterfly bush's can be pruned any time you feel the need once the bush is established, but more specifically, after the threat of frost is gone.

Answer by  champaign9497 (11977)

In the spring always and make sure you are only taking the dead stuff thay way you dont make the live plant parts bleed and die back. Do not ever prune them in the fall you will kill it because when you prune in the fall it drives the plant back to the root and the frost will kill it.

Answer by  champaign9497 (11977)

I prune mine in the spring and when you do your pruning make sure you wait till it greens up then cut off only whats brown you never want to cut any part of the healthy plant off.

Answer by  Ginny (2251)

They can be pruned at any time. If grown in the North, after the frost you can prune them down to the ground. In the South, prune them whenever you want and even down to the ground. All that will happen is that you will lose some blooming time.

Answer by  Huntress (1935)

In the south we are supposed to prune them when it is no longer blooming (late fall). Until then be sure to snip dead flowers off to promote more growth.

Answer by  champaign9497 (11977)

In the spring and when you do it make sure you wait until the bush has greened up for the season and take only the brown ends that way your bush will stay healthy and hardy.

Answer by  Isiseyes (178)

Butterfly bushes can grow up to 12' tall and 15' wide in ideal climates. It is essential to prune the bush to the ground in winter. In early spring the new growth will appear on the surface from the well established root system. Pruning at this stage will produce larger blooms that summer.