Pruning Butterfly Bushes - The When, How, and Why

Do you need to prune your butterfly bush? The answer is not necessarily. Learn the best time for pruning buttery bushes, how to tackle it, and why you want to.

It's so fun to see butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators all season long on the lovely Buddleia davidii shrub commonly known as Butterfly Bush.

This flowering shrub is incredibly easy to grow and comes in a wide range of colors. In fact, in some areas, it's considered an invasive plant.

Tip: If you have an opportunity to buy small plants at a great price do it. This bush will grow to several feet tall in one season. No need to buy a large plant from the nursery if you don't have to.

When to Prune a Butterfly Bush

Here's what one of my butterfly bushes looks like in late winter (above). I usually wait until this time to prune. You don't have to wait but I like the winter interest and it may offer a little bit of shelter during the cold season to small animals.

Also in cold climates, there is always a chance of winter damage, so pruning in the fall may make the shrub more vulnerable.

How to Prune a Butterfly Bush

Start by using your hand pruners and cut all of the branches on a diagonal about 12 -18 inches from the ground. Clear out any debris or broken stems.

Why Do You Prune a Butterfly Bush?

Cutting back the shrub to 12 -18 inches seems drastic, right? It is but this way you will get lots of flowers as the shrub blooms. This is because they bloom on new wood growth.

You will get some new growth if you do nothing but you will obviously get a lot of new growth if you prune it back hard.

If you have a few extra thick stems then you may need to get out the loppers.

If you happen to see any branches crossing over others it's a good idea to cut them close to the ground.

Here's what it looks like after pruning. I do this every year and they grow back quickly.

In fact, as you can see there is already some new growth.

You don't have to prune your butterfly bushes. They will still flower. However, if you want pretty bushes filled with lots of blooms try pruning them back hard in the late winter or early spring. The butterflies will love you for it.