To prune a weeping butterfly bush, it is best to do a hard pruning in early Spring, specifically in late January or before the spring growth starts appearing. This is the optimal time to give the plant a severe pruning, as it allows for new growth to come in later in the season.
When pruning the weeping butterfly bush, it is important to cut it back to about 1-2 feet from the ground. This may seem drastic, but the plant actually benefits from this type of pruning. By cutting it back so severely, you are encouraging new growth and ensuring that the bush remains healthy and vigorous.
To begin the pruning process, start by removing any dead or diseased branches. These should be cut back to the main stem or to a healthy lateral branch, using clean and sharp pruning shears. Removing these dead or diseased branches helps to improve the overall health of the plant and prevent any further spread of disease.
Next, identify any crossing or rubbing branches and remove them. These branches can cause damage and create points of weakness in the plant, so it’s best to remove them to maintain the plant’s structural integrity.
After removing any dead, diseased, crossing, or rubbing branches, you can proceed with the hard pruning. Cut the remaining branches back to about 1-2 feet from the ground, making clean cuts just above a bud or lateral branch. This will encourage new growth to sprout from these points and result in a fuller and more compact plant.
It’s important to note that weeping butterfly bushes are typically evergreen in coastal California, meaning they retain their leaves year-round. This allows for pruning at almost any time of the year in this region. However, the hard pruning in early Spring is still recommended to rejuvenate the plant and promote new growth.
In terms of maintenance pruning throughout the year, you can lightly prune the weeping butterfly bush to shape it or remove any unwanted growth. This can be done as needed, but be mindful not to remove too much foliage, as it may affect the overall health and appearance of the plant.
Pruning a weeping butterfly bush involves a hard pruning in early Spring, cutting it back to 1-2 feet from the ground. This rejuvenates the plant and promotes new growth. Regular maintenance pruning can be done throughout the year to shape the bush and remove any unwanted growth. Remember to use clean and sharp pruning shears, make clean cuts just above buds or lateral branches, and remove any dead, diseased, crossing, or rubbing branches for optimum plant health.
