I have one that is about 12 feet; I keep trimming it because it is just growing like mad. I dont know if it will keep getting taller, but it is getting more bushy, and as more shoot off each limb it tends to get heavier. I had 2 new bb bushes that were 2 inches tall last summer, one is it is now about 6 feet, the other is about 10 feet. I'm probably going to cut at least one down as I'm growing bamboo and conifers, so I don't want anymore butterfly bushes. Maybe I'll offer them up to someone who wants to come and get them.

Kendal

You can do a lot of pruning/shaping with butterfly bushes. My experience with growing into a tree form is there's a tendency for some branches to tear away from the main trunk during windy weather. The results are more noticeable when you have a tree form than with a multi-trunked bush. However, they put out new branches very easily, especially in spring. Go for the tree form & if you don't like the look, cut it back almost to the ground & you'll end up with new growth that'll give you the multi-trunked bush.

Kendal........you have mail!

Patrick

Thanks for all your replies. I think I'm going to go ahead and try to turn it into a tree. When should I prune it though? In the fall or early spring? Or can I turn it into a tree now? Did I mention that I also planted a coneflower next to it which is now being overshadowed so I don't want to lose that. Thanks again!

I have some that are "trees". I don't do the severe spring pruning (chopping them to the ground). I've let them develop woody trunks. They're now about 15-18 feet tall, I'd say. They have formed a nice umbrella-like canopy, and I hang suet feeders inside, which the birds love. I have a seating area under a pair of trees, which is really nice.

I selectively prune out dead wood in spring. You'll always have some dead twigs. And I just selectively prune back certain branches to form new wood, and try to shape the Buddleia the way I want it to grow. If too much new growth comes from my pruning, I just cut out what I don't want. You will need pole pruners to dead head the really high flowers. While my Buddleia cultivars have never seeded in my garden, there is some concern with Buddleia (more in Oregon than in Washington, I think) becoming aggressive by seed, so I think if you're going to grow Buddleia, you should only do so if you can dead head regularly.

Hi Patrick, did you send me an e-mail? I have't gotten one, so if you want one of my butterflybushes please re-send and I'll give you direction!

Kendal

Raven, how did this go for you? I have a butterfly bush that has gone crazy and I's like to make it into a tree. It's at least 10 feet tall!!

This is a 16 y.o. thread and ravensmith has not been active during this period.

Rather than turning into a tree form, you will get better flower production if the shrub is cut back hard in spring. It flowers on new growth and it's hard to deadhead a 10' tall shrub!

I don't really know much about butterfly bushes other than my husband planted it right in front of a bedroom window. The blooms are a beautiful raspberry color and we have enjoyed watching the butterflies all summer. If has gotten way too big and rangey for where he put it and I'd like to train it into a tree, cut it way back early next spring, or as a last resort, move it. I was not aware you had yo deadhead these bushes?

It's not ten feet tall, it's more like 6 or 7 - and floppy. Not attractive anymore. I guess that's why deadheading is recomnended. I have two other butterfly bushes and they aren't floppy at all, but need the deadheading.

In the early spring cut it down to a foot tall. This will keep it more compact.