Julie is right. Here, they act more like herbaceous perennials than shrubs. They do tend to die back to the ground level. For future reference, when planting, plant about an inch or two deeper than they were in the pot. This protects a little section of the stems and they tend to break from those if they lose ALL of their top growth.

Dave
Franklin, also.;)

So, as of yesterday I have ONE green leaf on my butterfly bush. I can't tell if that means it'll come back or if I need to toss it out.
Thoughts?
Astrid

Green=alive. If it were me I would give it more time. Weather has been cool, but supposedly warm weather is now upon us so the wait shouldn't be too much longer.

I think our Butterfly Bush is no more.... Was trimmed to the ground around May I believe....and since have seen no signs of life. Should I just go buy another? Is this one dead?

I have a 2 year Fothergilla Major Mt Airy shrub that just now started showing signs of life, and I trimmed it back after the winter months. I'd give it just a little more time. Good luck.

It's June 10th and still no sign of leaves!
Could it be that all 3 bushes died over winter?

Mine came up in June, except two.

Having read the comments here, I expect I am being impatient with not seeing any new growth on my Butterfly Bush - June 04. It certainly does appear to be dead but branches, though only slightly, have some spring to them. Crossing my fingers!

Here it is mid June and mine have dead wood sticking up on both. They were nearly 30 years old. I'm so sad.

July 26th and mine is just blooming. phew.