Buddleia pruning

[the_great_maker]

My buddleia plants have gone a bit crazy this year. The worst of them are new plants that I just planted from cuttings last year. They've got really really leggy (as they tend to) and are actually leaning on our fence a little. I really need to cut them back quite heavily. I know that spring is the best time for brutally pruning these plants,

Comments

[liminalia]

After they die back you can prune them as much as you like. No need to wait til Spring.

[bailey36]

I like to prune a little in fall and severely in Spring. Even so they die back to the ground usually, depending on the amount snow and how cold the winter gets.

[rhiannon_s]

Cutting back in spring is best for them, but you can cut them at any time and they'll probably bounce back. I'd say cut them half down now (to just under where they are leaning on the fence, then and chop the rest in spring if required.

I saw a Buddleia munched on by a herd of cows in midsummer and they reduced it to a stump and it came back fine once the cows were moved to another field. I am of the personal opinion that the only thing that could harm a Buddleia is a full on nuclear strike. Even then...

[smtfhw]

I've randomly pruned ours at various stages of the year. It doesn't appear to have done it the slightest harm. I'd say go for it!