Butterfly bush
#1
Butterfly bush
... first year.
What do I do to put this baby to bed for the winter?
The stems are all starting to lay down - should I prune back a little? Or stake up?
Thx
What do I do to put this baby to bed for the winter?
The stems are all starting to lay down - should I prune back a little? Or stake up?
Thx
#2
Group Moderator
Mine gets absolutely crazy by the end of the season. If you want to prevent the limbs from laying on the ground you can prune it earlier in the season to keep them shorter. Otherwise I just let it grow and do it's thing. They flower on new growth so when we are solidly into winter I cut it back so about 6-12" is sticking above ground. That way it doesn't look so bad over winter and it forces new growth in the spring which will flower. Depending on where you are located you don't have to cut it back if you don't want. It can develop a heavy trunk and grow year round if your climate is mild enough. Even then I would do some heavy pruning in winter to encourage new, flowering growth.