This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Pruning a Budlea Tree??
Sandy Abley
Posts: 10
in Plants
Hello, we moved in about 2 years ago and have 2 tree/large bushes that we've been told are Budleja. One is about 12foot, the other about 18 foot. They flowered beautifully the first year, last year not so much, as the dead flowers on them didn't come off. We've done nothing to them really other than snip off the bits we could reach that were evidently in need of a trim. We want to do the best by the plants. A tree surgeon who came said it was unusual to see such large tree like versions of this plant. The circumference of the trunk of one is easily 12 inches. All advice gratefully received (along with forgiveness for being such a gardening ninny!!)
0
Posts
You can cut this back as hard as you like Sandy. It will make new shoots.
If you put a photo on we'll tell you where to cut
In the sticks near Peterborough
Buddleias are thug plants/bushes and thus virtually indestructible. Having said that if a pruning regime were called for, I would suggest cutting everything back by half in the autumn and down to 18 inches above the ground in the spring.
They flower on the current year's growth, hence cutting back to 18 inches above ground avoids all the flowers growing on the top of the bush.
Maybe do it in yearly stages.
Don't cut back below the lowest shoots which will be showing now. If you do, that stem is finished. Always leave 2/3 on each stem to grow on.
I am assuming these are Buddleja davidii type. Some of the other species such as alternifolia do not have such severe pruning. Do you have a photo of it in flower?
Deadhead too to get repeat flowering, altho' the first flush is the best. Butterflies go mad for it.
Depends on variety as previously stated. Davidii can be hard pruned right back, but others such globiosa flower on older wood so only require pruning after flowering!
ok, I'll get a photo of it in the daylight, its really big, so I think taking it too far back may be too much as welsh onion says. I've no idea what variety it is...photo coming over the weekend. Thank you for your expertise.
Presumably you have seen it flower. Google B. Globosa, davidii, and alternifolia to see if you can match it.
They grow in brick rubble on derelict sites, railway embankments, gaps in walls, through tarmac pavements etc.....can't really make a case for TLC.