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Pruning Buddleia advice.

GraysGrays Posts: 172
in Plants
Morning all,
Still learning the ropes when it comes to gardening, but I have read that this is the correct time of year to prune Buddleia? Seeing as I am currently furloughed I am trying to do as many jobs as possible in the garden, todays job is to hopefully do the above.
I will add a photo of the Buddleia, it currently stands about 9 feet tall roughly, how much would you prune it down to would you say? I don’t want to prune it to nothing obviously, any tips?

Thanks.
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Posts

  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,190
    What kind of Buddleia is it? 
  • GraysGrays Posts: 172
    Oh god, now you've got me Alan........

    I don't know is the answer, it has dark purple flowers if that helps?

    Is there a simple way I can find out?

    Cheers.
  • FlyDragonFlyDragon Posts: 834
    In my experience you can be pretty brutal with buddleia and it bounces back like nothing happened! If I were you I’d just chop it back to whatever size and shape you want it. 
  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,190
    edited May 2020
    It sounds like B. davidii, which flowers in late summer. At least one other species, B. globosa, with orange flowers, flower earlier, so the advice would be different.

    it is a bit late to prune it but you can, it will delay flowering but it will still flower, perhaps in September. Mine also gets to about 9 feet, I cut it back a little in Autumn after it has flowered, then I cut it back to about 3 feet in early Spring. You can cut it safely back to 3 feet in one go - Buddleia is bomb-proof and you cannot overdo it.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Purple helps ... it means it’s not the one with round orange flowers which is pruned differently. 

    That really is a big one ... but I would cut it right back to around a metre tall ... I know that seems drastic but within a matter of weeks it will put on at least 6’ of growth and it’ll flower its socks off ... and this year you’ll actually be able to see the flowers. 

    So cut it hard back, give it a feed (I would use Fish, Blood & Bone) and several buckets of water .... and stand well back ....

    Dont be afraid ... I’ve seen it done to equally large buddleia ... totally rejuvenated. 😊 

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





  • GraysGrays Posts: 172
    Thanks for the advice all,

    Right I will have another cup of coffee, then set about attacking it right down.

    I have some blood fish and bone in the garage, again this sounds a bit stupid, but when you apply it for a feed, do you just sprinkle it around the base, or dig down a bit, pour some in and recover with soil?

    Thanks again everyone.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited May 2020
    I would clear the soil around it of weeds etc .. a bare circle about 1m diameter ... scuff just the surface of the soil up a bit ... just the top inch of so, not deep ... scatter the feed at the rate on the pack and water in. 
    Repeat every year ... I do mine in late March/early April but you’re not too late 

    I’m looking forward to another photo when it flowers. 😊 

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





  • GraysGrays Posts: 172
    Dovefromabove said:
    I would clear the soil around it of weeds etc .. a bare circle about 1m diameter ... scuff just the surface of the soil up a bit ... just the top inch of so, not deep ... scatter the feed at the rate on the pack and water in. 
    Repeat every year ... I do mine in late March/early April but you’re not too late 

    I’m looking forward to another photo when it flowers. 😊 
    Many thanks, I will try to remember to get a photo when it flowers.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It'll look good - it really rejuvenates them. A little mulch after the watering will help it retain the moisture too. I see you have a Fatsia next to it which will benefit from the shade the buddleia gives it, and the extra bit of food and water too  ;)

    I have a dark one - Black Knight. It could be that one.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GraysGrays Posts: 172
    edited May 2020
    Fairygirl said:
    It'll look good - it really rejuvenates them. A little mulch after the watering will help it retain the moisture too. I see you have a Fatsia next to it which will benefit from the shade the buddleia gives it, and the extra bit of food and water too  ;)

    I have a dark one - Black Knight. It could be that one.  :)
    Yes, its a Fatsia, can remember asking what it was a while back.
    Regarding this plant, do you have any advice with it? Do you just peel the leaves off (as I have been doing) when they go black or brown, similar to what I do with my Cordyline?
    I wouldn't have a clue what to do regarding pruning it in general.

    Thanks again.
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