Buddleia (Buddleja/Buddleia davidii), also known as butterfly bush, is a multi-sprout shrub that tends to grow and flower quickly. Buddleias are a favorite with gardeners for their sweet fragrance and flowers that attract pollinators. Because buddleia grow rapidly, you should prune them every spring before the fast growing season begins.
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Method 1 of 2: Pruning Buddleia
Step 1. Prune the buddleia in early spring
The timing of pruning matters a lot for buddleia care. Plants should always be pruned in early spring. Usually, March is the recommended time for pruning. However, this time depends on the geographic location where you live. In some subtropical areas, there is still heavy snow that appears in late spring and can damage the buddleia.
- Deciding when to trim a buddleia really depends on the weather in your area. As noted above, if you prune too early, spring frosts can damage the plant. However, waiting too long until late summer-or even fall-can also harm the buddleia. New shoots that don't have time to grow strong before winter will die from freezing. As a result, the plant will die the following spring.
- Keep track of the weather forecast, especially if you live in a colder area or where the weather patterns are unpredictable. If the weather forecast says that in the next 10 days it will be freezing or snowing, don't prune the buddleia just yet. Wait until the weather has warmed and has been consistently above freezing for several weeks.
Step 2. Cut the buddleia in the spring
Buddleia flowers will grow from new stems. Even if there are no signs of rot or damage to the current branches, cut them all in the spring until they are close to ground level. This type of pruning will stimulate the growth of buds and buds during the flowering season.
- Buddleia grow in the form of bunches of stems that emerge from the same plot of land. You can prune the plant by cutting the stems down.
- Leave the stems of the buddleia at least 30 cm high. Stop cutting when the stem is about 30 cm high. Cuttings that are too short will damage the plant.
- Once the buddleia is trimmed, it should look like deer antlers. Don't worry about how many plants are wasted. Massive pruning like this actually helps the buddleia grow new flowers as the rainy season passes.
Step 3. Remove old branches
Buddleia will look claustrophobic if there are too many branches. If your clump looks very dense, remove old branches instead of just cutting them.
- Old stems can be easily distinguished from young ones. Young stems tend to be green. Meanwhile, the older stems are darker in color, have gray to brown flaky bark, and appear more woody.
- Dig up old branches to the roots. This will prevent the branch from blooming again the following season.
Step 4. Cut flowers that have withered during the flowering season
The main pruning should be done in the spring. Buddleia flowers in many places. Primary stems and secondary branches that grow from the primary stem, both can flower. When looking for wilted flowers, look on both stems.
Method 2 of 2: Caring for Buddleia After Pruning
Step 1. Spread mulch at the start of the growing season
Spreading mulch or compost around the buddleia stump will help retain moisture and prevent unwanted weed growth. Spread 15 cm of mulch or compost around the plant stump.
Step 2. Plant the buddleia 1.5 - 3 meters away from other plants
You may want to plant more buddleia later. Give new plants 1.5 - 3 meters apart from existing plants so that each clump has enough room to grow.
Buddleias can grow as they grow and grow new branches. Therefore, it is very important to make sure the plants have adequate space to grow
Step 3. Water sparingly
Buddleia must be watered. The amount of water needed depends on the season. Young plants that are still in their infancy should be watered until they are wet.
- Buddleia is drought tolerant. However, soil that is dry for too long can be a problem for plants. Therefore, regular watering in the hot months is very important.
- Thoroughly water the soil around the buddleia until it is wet, but not soggy. Before the buddleia blooms, the plant will need more water. Water the buddleia at least once a week before the flowers bloom. Water the plant twice a week or more if you live in a place that experiences drought or the temperature is very hot.
- Once the buddleia has fully bloomed, the frequency of watering can be reduced. However, check the soil around the plant regularly to make sure it remains moist. If it feels dry, water it until it feels a little wet.
