Forum home Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Anyone had health problems after pruning Buddleia?

1235

Posts

  • Never had a problem with Buddleia. Ivy on the other hand is another matter. I never ever cut back ivy without wearing a mask and goggles, it plays havoc with my breathing and eyes.
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    edited April 2021
    Thats your answer then @toni4va_2oIg get someone else to do it.
    The shrub wouldn't have been 12ft high if it was pruned down very low every year.
  • toni4va_2oIgtoni4va_2oIg Posts: 4
    edited April 2021
    It’s not ‘my answer’ although it might well be an answer for some! 

    I searched Google as I felt concerned after developing a cough while cutting back the bush I inherited, when I moved into the house I live in. 

    This thread and the info I screenshot came up and confirmed, reassuringly, that I was not alone and others have been similarly affected.

    I’ve shared the info here to hopefully help anyone else who may have similar concerns and is looking for answers.

    If anyone doesn’t find it helpful or of interest, all they need to do is ignore it.


  • toni4va_2oIgtoni4va_2oIg Posts: 4
    edited April 2021

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    This is a forum for  people make comments on. Mine was meant to be light hearted. If you are so easily offended I suggest you don't post any. @toni4va_2oIg

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,102
    This is where 'smileys' are so useful ... 🙄

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





  • Well thank you for the friendly welcome to the forum @K67:D

    I can assure you that I did not take offence – to either of your comments. I really don’t take offence easily but I do have a preference for clear communication.  :)

    Your first comment gave me the impression that you’d misunderstood the purpose of my post. I replied to clarify that I was sharing how other people had also been affected, rather than offering advice on how to cut back the plant. Have a lovely day. 
  • After drastic pruning of a white flowering buddeia I developed a sore throat and a tickly cough within 36 hours that developed into a terrible cough, that was 6 days ago. I still have it. This massive Buddleia in my new garden was ungainly and at least 6/7 metre tall growing into another overgrown plum tree. A mess. I felt the dust particles landing on me, I’m glad I wore protective glasses, but wished I had worn a mask! Be warned, gardening can be dangerous to your health too!
  • Stepping outside your house exposes you to all sorts of danger ( actually within your house can be a bit iffy too ! ).
    As for the Buddleia it does seem to affect some people whereas others have no problem at all.  Close contact with various plants can affect different people in different ways - in some circumstances, you may even find that tackling a certain shrub/plant one year has no effect on you but the following year it irritates your throat, skin or whatever.


  • Has been very difficult to find anything about allergy to buddleia....I have been nurturing one in my garden for the sake of the butterflies (of which there are fewer and fewer). I now realise that it makes me really ill with breathing problems, especially now when the flowers go over....I can feel their dust in the air....really extreme. I remember the exact same issue when I was younger and we had a huge tree in the garden (covered in butterflies then). Reluctantly I am going to get rid of this bush ASAP....its me or it!!
Sign In or Register to comment.