Hi, Here I was worried if they had survived the winter and fortunately it seems they did. There's only TINY new growth at the very base of the plant so am cutting it back to there this year. Most of the people I know and the directions on the plants said to cut them back to inches above the ground every year but if there is new growth on the branches I just let it alone and this worked for many years of milder winters. Hope that helps. Don't you just love them? Have a great gardening day with time to smell the flowers and lots of sunshine. marlita

I cut mine down to about 6" above the ground every year and they come back just fine every year.

Ok...I have not had luck with these. I have planted more then I care to say but only one has remained alive. Last year I did nothing to it and it budded although it took forever for that to happen. This year I see growth only at the base of the plant. Does this mean that I should cut all the rest down? Is it too late to do that now?

Everyone participating in this discussion so far is in zone 5, which is the edge of hardiness for BB's. Many years will have winters mild enough that the branches won't die. To trim or not to trim these years is up to individual tastes. But this past winter was so cold that we're lucky to have any growth at all. My mom's hasn't shown any signs of being alive yet, and I don't think it is. Mine is coming back, but everything above ground was killed.

I cut mine down to about 6-8" above the ground in the late fall and it's already 4 foot tall & full of buds on the new growth. This is only my 2nd year with a BB.