My dad used to prune his buddleja every year almost down to the ground (about a foot) in early November, and it looked amazing every year. I grew my own from seed this year and planted out in september, they are looking good, but will trim one of them down in March, Monty says to 2 leaf buds from the bottom (in case one gets damaged).
I leave the seed heads for the birds, but the plant can get damaged by wind rock in the winter. I prune on a dry (Ha Ha) mid winters day and a bit more in the spring. I believe the book would say (as above) prune half to two thirds early winter to stop wind rock, prune back more in early spring. they are very tough, linzbfc you can get away with a great deal if they are a mess. chica if they come back too strong take cuttings which take well and replant. As we know fantastic or wildlife and a great plant that needs little attention other than a good prune every year.
I have a number of buddlias and I cut some back servere and others a gentle chop,the only thing is if you chop to severe they will die,I have lost a few that way.they are of course great at seeding themselves and from a seedling they grow quickly or even a stick cutting,for the best effect with out taking over the border is to keep it as a bush.If you have very old lanky ones ,get rid of and start with seedlings or cuttings.They are so lovely giving butterflies,bees and all manner of insects the nectar they need and hurs of watching for you,they come in many diffeent colours ,mine,deep purple,lilac,yellow(double) and I long for a white one.
I live on the edge of Dardmoor, very high, windy and bleak at times, and have never killed one either, I saw it right down in March, but have taken them right down in October. they dont die.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
I live on the edge of Dardmoor, very high, windy and bleak at times, and have never killed one either, I saw it right down in March, but have taken them right down in October. they dont die.
on the edge of Dartmoor myself and never killed one either - yet!
hi i have never hard pruned my buddleja but i really need to can anyone tell me how much to take off and when its about 7'-8' tall the base is just bare trunk with a very heavy flower filled top any help would be great xx
I'd wait until it has flowered, then cut it down by half to stop wind rock over winter.Next spring, prune it hard to a foot off the ground. It will reshoot and you can keep as many or as few shoots as you want.
I propagate buddlejas by soft cuttings about 6 inch long in may or june, before the flower shoots form. You can also do hardwood cuttings of 1 year old wood in winter.
Posts
My dad used to prune his buddleja every year almost down to the ground (about a foot) in early November, and it looked amazing every year. I grew my own from seed this year and planted out in september, they are looking good, but will trim one of them down in March, Monty says to 2 leaf buds from the bottom (in case one gets damaged).
I leave the seed heads for the birds, but the plant can get damaged by wind rock in the winter. I prune on a dry (Ha Ha) mid winters day and a bit more in the spring. I believe the book would say (as above) prune half to two thirds early winter to stop wind rock, prune back more in early spring. they are very tough, linzbfc you can get away with a great deal if they are a mess. chica if they come back too strong take cuttings which take well and replant. As we know fantastic or wildlife and a great plant that needs little attention other than a good prune every year.
I have a number of buddlias and I cut some back servere and others a gentle chop,the only thing is if you chop to severe they will die,I have lost a few that way.they are of course great at seeding themselves and from a seedling they grow quickly or even a stick cutting,for the best effect with out taking over the border is to keep it as a bush.If you have very old lanky ones ,get rid of and start with seedlings or cuttings.They are so lovely giving butterflies,bees and all manner of insects the nectar they need and hurs of watching for you,they come in many diffeent colours ,mine,deep purple,lilac,yellow(double) and I long for a white one.
I live on the edge of Dardmoor, very high, windy and bleak at times, and have never killed one either, I saw it right down in March, but have taken them right down in October. they dont die.
on the edge of Dartmoor myself and never killed one either - yet!
hi i have never hard pruned my buddleja but i really need to can anyone tell me how much to take off and when its about 7'-8' tall the base is just bare trunk with a very heavy flower filled top any help would be great xx
I'd wait until it has flowered, then cut it down by half to stop wind rock over winter.Next spring, prune it hard to a foot off the ground. It will reshoot and you can keep as many or as few shoots as you want.
I propagate buddlejas by soft cuttings about 6 inch long in may or june, before the flower shoots form. You can also do hardwood cuttings of 1 year old wood in winter.