You most certainly can "overprune" anything - even grass. The most important thing to bear in mind when getting the lopers or even a chainsaw out is - what time of year is it? If you so much as show a plum tree the secateurs in early winter - it will quietly die before spring. Buddleia and Roses are very resilient but they are not immortal, Buddleia seed is very fecund hence the number of self sets that crop up everywhere - it was once referred to as the "bombsite plant" by people who know what they were. Longevity and profligate propagation rarely go together. After even a comparatively short period of three or four years, the main truck of a vigorous Buddleia will be getting gnarled and contorted and if untrimmed, the head will be carrying deadwood. Phytophthora pathogen readily infects Buddleia of all types and will kill them - untreated pruning wounds are often a point of entry. That said, it was common practice in my training days - particularly if you were in the local Parks Department - to "stool" many shrubs that regenerate quickly and flower on new wood and most seemed to survive.
Regarding the fecundity of buddleja, it is worth mentioning that it’s reputation for being invasive relates to the species form. There are now quite a few sterile or almost sterile cultivars which as well as not seeding all over the place, are also more compact and suitable for smaller gardens. These come in a variety of shades.
Our globosa is cut right back each year in January. It has always produced strong new growth and abundant flowers and continues to flower until we have the first frost.
Many thanks to SporophyteBoy, Dovefromabove & bertrand-mabel for your very helpful comments, it is very much appreciated. Have now cut it right back, fingers crossed it will survive!
Regarding the fecundity of buddleja, it is worth mentioning that it’s reputation for being invasive relates to the species form. There are now quite a few sterile or almost sterile cultivars which as well as not seeding all over the place, are also more compact and suitable for smaller gardens. These come in a variety of shades.
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After even a comparatively short period of three or four years, the main truck of a vigorous Buddleia will be getting gnarled and contorted and if untrimmed, the head will be carrying deadwood. Phytophthora pathogen readily infects Buddleia of all types and will kill them - untreated pruning wounds are often a point of entry.
That said, it was common practice in my training days - particularly if you were in the local Parks Department - to "stool" many shrubs that regenerate quickly and flower on new wood and most seemed to survive.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.