Should I Cut Back My Butterfly Bush For Winter?
Cutting back a butterfly bush for winter makes sense in mild climates and for light cleanup, but heavy fall pruning can leave the plant vulnerable to cold damage in regions with harsh winters. Since butterfly bushes bloom on new wood, the safest general approach is to wait until late winter or early spring, when buds begin to swell, before doing any significant cutting. Your local climate, the plant’s age and health, and whether you need to control size or remove damaged wood should guide the timing and extent of pruning.