The buddleia, better known as the 'butterfly tree', is a large shrub that can become very cluttered with age and recede from the base. Proper pruning will ensure that the shrub will bloom even more opulently and maintain its silhouette, so don't hesitate!
When to prune the buddleia?
Maintenance and rejuvenation pruning of Buddleia can be done from November to February, except during frosty periods.
A summer pruning is also possible in order to spread the flowering over long months.
How to prune a butterfly tree?
To prune a buddleia that is already well established, you will need a pruning saw for the larger branches and secateurs for the secondary branches and small stems. Don't forget to disinfect all blades with methylated spirits before pruning to prevent the spread of disease.
Maintenance pruning
- Start by clearing the center of the shrub by removing dead or aging branches with the saw. Prune squarely at the base of each branch to obtain a clean cut.
- Then locate all new growth and cut it back to within 3 to 4 centimeters of the old wood.
- Remove all secondary branches facing the inside of the tree with the pruning shears.
- The center of the tree should be clear and the silhouette harmonious.
Summer pruning
In order to obtain flowers for a longer period of time, it is possible, in addition to the maintenance pruning, to carry out a pruning at the beginning of the summer. This is done on the young shoots and requires pruning shears.
- Simply prune a third of the new shoots to stagger the production of flowers until October.
- You can repeat the operation in July/August, this time removing all the flowering stems.
- Do not hesitate to prune all the faded flowers to induce the formation of new flower buds.
Rejuvenation pruning
Over time, the butterfly tree takes on a neglected appearance, the branches, which can reach 4 meters in height, form a dense vegetal jumble. Less floriferous, it also risks suffocating the surrounding ornamental plants, so it is time to act!
This pruning should be done in winter outside the frost period.
- Prune without regret at ground level the oldest branches.
- Cut the remaining branches at 20 cm from the ground.
