Help my butterfly bush fell over!

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zale9440 Bowdon, GA Sep 14, 2008

It is a huge bush 8 ft tall and about as wide and this morning I guess the weight of all the flowers made it fall over. Its not uprooted but looks sad. Should I cut it back and if so how far?
Zale

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kitten0115 La Vergne, TN Sep 15, 2008

It will be ok, take 1/3 to 1/2 off of it. It's good to always cut the old branches off and irregular ones to get a good strong plant and a nice shape. What you ned is to make sure you get enough off to make the plant stable again. Mine has blown over before and parts of the roots exposed. I just re-planted it and staked it until the roots could grow enough to handle the mass of the plant.

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zale9440 Bowdon, GA Sep 16, 2008

Thanks. Is it OK to cut it back now? I live in GA and it was near 90 today.

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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Sep 20, 2008

I would cut it back now IF you think it being fallen over will damage the plant or even cause the trunk to split open, if it is in no danger try use rope and stake to get it back up again, then after flowering has finished cut it right back, give it a mulch and feed as even though you cant see root damage, there may be some under the top soil you dont see, I cut mine back either end of summer, or early spring when I see new buds break through the stems, but every 3rd year I hack it down to about 6 inches from the ground or they grow way too big and smother other things out keeping light away from other plants. These are almost indestructible plants and I have ever seen them grow between stones/bricks in old walls, dont be afraid of it, it is as tough as old boots. good luck. WeeNel.

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