Trim "old wood" on butterfly bush?

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seaotter301 Elmhurst, IL(Zone 5a) May 22, 2011

Should you trim the "old wood of a butterfly bush or will new growth start there?
Thanks!
Obviously, I'm very new to gardening - but loving every minute and finding every excuse in the world not to do housework or cook!!!!!

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everlandfarm Jackson, OH May 22, 2011

Hello from SE Ohio... Our butterfly bushes are several years old. We cut them back "to wood" in late Fall. The following Spring, just leave them be until they begin to "grow green." At that point you can see what is, in fact, old wood that will not be producing new green growth/shoots. Normally, we don't see the butterfly bushes become active until June, but this year they're off & running in May. Since you're somewhat north of us, you may not see your bush become active until mid to late June. But, with the Spring season we've had in the Midwest, who knows. Again, just let it be until you see where the new growth develops from. Then you can safely cut away unproductive dried wood. BTW originally from Chicago - my kind of town. : )

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missingrosie Hillsborough, NC(Zone 7b) May 22, 2011

Sometimesnif ours gets crazy and intrudes into the path, I whack it right to a few inches off the ground...come next year its back again.

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SusanKC Shawnee Mission, KS(Zone 6a) May 22, 2011

I leave them until spring and then trim back to about six inches above the ground.

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Dirt_Lover Gainesville, GA(Zone 8a) May 23, 2011

We cut ours back in the fall. Here's a link to help you with cutting back and deadheading. http://www.butterflybushes.com/frequently_asked_questions.htm

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seaotter301 Elmhurst, IL(Zone 5a) May 23, 2011

THANK YOU EVERYONE! I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW HAPPY I AM AS A NEW SUBSCRIBER.....AS I SAID IN MY ORIGINAL POST - I cannot get any drive going to get anything done in the house, making meals, laundry - zip! I just want to play in the dirt!

dirt_lover - thanks for the great link - looks to be a wonderful place to buy from too!

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missingrosie Hillsborough, NC(Zone 7b) May 23, 2011

that is the case with many of us.... Come Sunday eve....nothin done but in the garden and then the race is on to get ready for the week ahead with laundry and such.

I cut mine back in the fall but the time to do may be regional.

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