How to Prune a Buddleia, Butterfly Bush

[@petersavage5885]

A follow up video with the bush back in full bloom would be very informative. 👍

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thanks Peter. This video was 2022. I'm about to prune again. I will post an update video later in the summer when the blossom is full again. Thanks again. Mark

[@petersavage5885]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK 👍

[@Ann-bm5qg]

I like your attitude towards butterflies and caterpillars. Same here. Also yes we need to not tidy the garden in a way that removes habitats for wildlife. 😊

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thanks Ann

[@kimberlyaustin2837]

THANK YOU sir! We purchased a new home late fall with these bushes that have never been kept up. Now that its early spring I had no idea how to tackle these bushes. Your video was incredibly helpful!

[@david-comfortablynumb.2570]

Excellent video Mark. Very informative and interesting. Thank you.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thanks David. Much appreciated. Mark

[@angelanolan5089]

Thank you. I needed to know how to trim my buddeilia .

[@lemps81]

Just moved to a place with a fairly wild garden. Really useful video, thanks. Very diverse here so hoping to continue it.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Where abouts are you? I love my wildlife corner. Mark

[@mickleem]

Great tip ! I love my Budlia Thank you

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thank you 😊

[@BigFly028]

great job Mark, very informative👍👍😁😁

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thank you 😊

[@gallegalle3448]

Thanks for the video.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

You are most welcome. Thank you so much for watching. Mark

[@ryanbenson171]

I've just gotten an allotment, and there are two huge buddleias at least 10ft tall, how much would you suggest I prune them?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi. My opinion is that they are so resilient you can go as far as you wish. There is still enough summer left for them to grow back a little. Mark

[@jpb3836]

Best and most informative video so far, thanks so much

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Ah thank you very much for this 😊

[@jessiehunter2559]

Thank you for your well informed video. Im. I’m not so afraid to be brutal with my pruning now, also your bonus video on mulching with the over matter was helpfull

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thanks for this comment. I wasn't sure whether to add the wildlife bit at the end so thank you for the encouragement. I'm about to start work on the wildlife pond. Down near the Buddleia. Best wishes. Mark

[@KaleidosonicDreams528]

Very helpful just what I needed ❤

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

ah thanks, and very pleased it was helpful. Best wishes. Mark

[@marcomarcello2538]

Probably the best video about pruning buddleia. Feel relieved I am doing the right thing not keeping the garden too tidy :)

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Wow!! THANK YOU! 😊 this comment has given me a boost. Mark

[@denazylanz4580]

God sent. Thank you so much. Blessed day.

[@Ringmybellofseefeld]

Me too - great idea to chop up the Buddliea prunings underneath - keep our Boxer off the mud.

[@alisonburton2486]

Thank you. Very informative and helpful.

[@denazylanz4580]

God sent. Thank you so much. Blessed day.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thank you 😊

[@ThePegasus101]

good stuff..ill do mine

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thank you. Mark

[@roxammon5858]

It is only a couple of white species of butterfly that munch your cabbages, Pieris Brassicae and Pieris Rapae. The rest feed on grasses, tree leaves or weeds of various sorts. Having a small patch of nettles in full sun will encourage the Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma butterflies to breed in your garden with the adult butterfly able feed on the buddleia. However I find that Verbena boriensis a better nectar source for butterflies and bees.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Really great comment and information THANK YOU. I have learned from you. Great 😊

[@roxammon5858]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK A pleasure. Thanks

[@Ringmybellofseefeld]

Oooh! Most interesting and helpful thank you for this.

[@Ringmybellofseefeld]

Great video thanks Mark. I have let my Buddleia grow too high for privacy as neighbours staircase window overlooks and for the birds as I have a bird feeding station next to the three of them but I need to compromise a bit I think! Good you mentioned not to shock the plant but go gentle! It is mid February here in The Scottish Borders and the Buddleias are sprouting so I need pluck up the courage and prune a little. I want some higher growth for the birds as we have a beautiful Sparrow Hawk who likes to pop in for a snack - nature I know but feel guilty I attract the little birds like bait for him😥 Might start doing a little each day - I have a fourth Buddleia in the row which does not grow so high - need to investigate the different types. Thanks Mark.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Nature is red in tooth and claw. I get excited about my owls but I'm painfully aware that they feed in little creatures. It's conflicting 🙁 I'm somewhat envious of your sparrow hawk. Good luck with your buddleia. Mark

[@JoyWatts-s9k]

❤

[@Benjamin-ej8oz]

I have moved to a property where there's a buddleia that's probably too close to the house so i really want to keep it small or even shrink - would pruning early i.e. oct/nov help with this do you think?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi. You could give it a good prune down. And regular pruning will control it. If possible wait until early spring but it should be ok if you top most of it off now. Mark

[@helengregory623]

So pleased we've found your channel. The videos are by far the most informative we've seen and easy to follow for newly retired gardeners who have inherited a lot of work to do in 12 acres, rural south-west France. Thank you!

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Wow. Thank you for this comment. And what an amazing project you have on your hands - you should share your journey on KZbin! Mark

[@a.c.kearns924]

Thanks for this. My Budlea is a new one from the garden centre and a bit leggy, but I intend to chop it down a bit after 1st flowering.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi. Is it planted in the ground or in a pot? Mark

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Also, AC, have a quick look at my July update/tour you can see the results of the pruning. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. Mark

[@a.c.kearns924]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK it is in a rather big pot that once held a rhododendron

[@JoyWatts-s9k]

@@a.c.kearns9249

[@leonaldana6865]

Thanks for the video! Following you from South America!

[@maryrobison1984]

what if you dont trim the butterfly bush?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

It gets taller and taller. The flowers will be way up high out of sight and i might suffer wind damage around the base. But it is a question of personal taste.

[@GraemeHall-n5r]

Mark, very informative. Will wait until later in the year to cut back. Buds just starting to show, it’s not been cut back for years so not sure whether to cut all back or half as suggested. It’s just far too tall and want to get on top of it quickly!

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

I believe if you cut back now there is still time for a second set to develop for late summer/autumn

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

And thank you for watching. Mark

[@mrsb3783]

My butterfly bushes have curly 🍃 look brown and unhappy this year any idea 💡 what wrong.?..?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi. I'm not sure. It is probably just the weird weather. Warm then freezing and back again. Is there any sign of infestation with any pests? Mark

[@mrsb3783]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK Hi Mark, this is my first time is growing them. I had one or two snails 🐌 but the birds eat them,so I was not to worried there's some signs of offer life living on them,but not sure what it could be ? If I take a photo would this help.?

[@mrsb3783]

How do I share photos?

[@stephenjenkins8012]

Hi i have a buddela thats tall how do i bring it down to make it in to more of a bush

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

I would wait until spring and then prune it down to just above the base. It should grow back to about 10 feet during the year. Then prune it every spring time. Mark

[@gordonissocoollike]

Vexcellent

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thanks Gordon. Do you have a wysteria?