Too late to prune back Buddleia?

[Alan G]

I know there's loads of stuff on pruning Buddleia but I'm wondering if I'm too late to give me a thorough pruning?

Mine haven't had a prune for a couple of years now, and are about 8 feet tall.

And already putting on new growth.

Have I still got time to give it a good cut back?

Cheers

[Kristen]

I think it would help if you are able to cut it back to a bud that has already opened, if you cut it back to "the middle of nowhere" it will take a while to get a bud to break, which will make flowering later - but I can't see it doing any harm either way.

Each year I plan to cut half the stems back in February, and the other half about now, to prolong the flowering period, and I never et around to the first cut until mid March so I then just do the lot!

[rana]

It is by no means too late, especially in Northumberland and Buddleia responds well to hard pruning.

[ginger ninger]

According to Monty on this weeks G.W, this is the best time of the year to cut back your buddleia. He said to cut it hard back so next years new growth with have lot's of flowers on. You won't get many flowers this year though and it'll look a little bare, but it will still put new growth on. Have a look at this link...it might help you .

Pruning Buddleias - How and when to prune a buddleia Butterfly Bush.

[Kristen]

Yes he did say that he was going to forfeit flowers for a year on something he pruned, but I think that was a different plant - can't remember what now! he said to prune Buddleia in Feb/Mar, but later pruning would just delay flowering.

[FoxHillGardener]

I agree with Kirsten Buddleia flowers on the current year's growth so you won't lose any flowers by pruning now, Instead it will make lots of new growth and then lots of flowers the same year.

I think the thing they talked about forfeiting flowers this year was the camelia - carol's bit at the big garden. They make buds during the summer of the first year's growth which then flower the following spring. So if you prune it now you cut of the buds made last summer and get no flowers this year - lots the following one though

[Alan G]

Great, thanks for the replies.

Short back and sides it is then.

Looking at that link, she's certainly pruned that back hard - not sure I'm quite that brave

[Gearoid]

They flower much better after a hard prune. Get in there with yer loppers!

[ginger ninger]

Yes he did say that he was going to forfeit flowers for a year on something he pruned, but I think that was a different plant - can't remember what now! he said to prune Buddleia in Feb/Mar, but later pruning would just delay flowering.

Yup, your right...just re watched it. It was Carol on about camellia's...Sorry

[Two_Sheds]

I've done most of the school's buddlejas this year (they've never been pruned - so the branches are as thick as my arm)

I have one left, well half of one ... I'll be at it again tomorrow with the pruning saw

[Kristen]

Yup, your right...just re watched it. It was Carol on about camellia's...Sorry

That was it: Camellias! I tuned out during that bit as we are on Alkaline soil My Mum had loads in tubs when I was a nipper, and what with the number of pots she had it put me off trying to keep plants that didn't suit my soil for at least two lifetimes!

[binley100]

For years my mum used to hack away at a buddleia that was in the way of her washing line, until finally I dug it up and moved it to my garden........where it carried on growing and flowering as if nothing had happened. It finally had to go to make room for my GH. They must be one of the toughest shrubs around ....

[Two_Sheds]

Camellias! I tuned out during that bit as we are on Alkaline soil

You might find that the dark pink one suits your ground - it does mine, unfortunately. The white one I have to keep in a pot in ericaceous compost.
Have a look round your neighbourhood, see if anyone else has camellias (I'm sure you've already done this though )

[Nicos]

I've pruned my young (this'll be the 3rd year of flowering)buddleia plants back a bit already...do you think I should take out a bit more as they are still about 3 ft high????

[FoxHillGardener]

I've pruned my young (this'll be the 3rd year of flowering)buddleia plants back a bit already...do you think I should take out a bit more as they are still about 3 ft high????

chop, chop, chop