Dear All,

After inheriting a garden with our new house, and spring approaching,
now is time for more questions. I hope you can help.

We have a few budlea shrubs (not sure what kind, but the common purple
variety) which are quite sparse on branches and about 4m high and span
about 15m across in total. The old flowers hang on the end of branches
that may be up to 6m of bare old wood.

So, I want to tidy up our bushes and thicken up the shrub a bit. Can
you help?

When do I prune the old flowers? (I'm in Surrey just within the M25)

How much do I cut down? If I prune off the new wood, I will still be
left with very long lanky bare branches. I'm confused. The wood all
looks old to me.

It does create a great barrier with next door so I am wary off
chopping it all down if at all possible.

Your tips would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Louise

In article ,
(Rebecca) writes:
|
| We have a few budlea shrubs (not sure what kind, but the common purple
| variety) which are quite sparse on branches and about 4m high and span
| about 15m across in total. The old flowers hang on the end of branches
| that may be up to 6m of bare old wood.

Probably B. davidii.

| When do I prune the old flowers? (I'm in Surrey just within the M25)

Any time after they go tatty, or not at all. It doesn't matter.

| How much do I cut down? If I prune off the new wood, I will still be
| left with very long lanky bare branches. I'm confused. The wood all
| looks old to me.
|
| It does create a great barrier with next door so I am wary off
| chopping it all down if at all possible.

I would cut it down to about 3-4' below where I want it to grow
to, or more if you want to thicken it lower down. If you kill it,
which is very unlikely, dig it up and plant another.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren,
University of Cambridge Computing Service,
New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QH, England.
Email:
Tel.: +44 1223 334761 Fax: +44 1223 334679

"Rebecca" wrote in message
om...
Dear All,

After inheriting a garden with our new house, and spring approaching,
now is time for more questions. I hope you can help.

We have a few budlea shrubs (not sure what kind, but the common purple
variety) which are quite sparse on branches and about 4m high and span
about 15m across in total. The old flowers hang on the end of branches
that may be up to 6m of bare old wood.

So, I want to tidy up our bushes and thicken up the shrub a bit. Can
you help?

When do I prune the old flowers? (I'm in Surrey just within the M25)

Now is a good time!

Take some stems down to 3 feet of so below the max height you want.

Take others down to 12/18 inches from the ground to promote new growth from
the bottom. Next year take out some more of the very old growth and cut back
partly the new growth. Over a couple or three seasons you will reinvigorate
and develop a lower flowering framework

pk

Hi Louise,

To get the maximum amount of butterflies on budlea, especially Red Admirals,
we (Dorset coast) don't prune until April. It looks pretty untidy during the
winter months agreed, but resist the temptation to start cutting before then
and delaying flowering will be well worthwhile.

Keith



"Rebecca" wrote in message
om...
Dear All,

After inheriting a garden with our new house, and spring approaching,
now is time for more questions. I hope you can help.

We have a few budlea shrubs (not sure what kind, but the common purple
variety) which are quite sparse on branches and about 4m high and span
about 15m across in total. The old flowers hang on the end of branches
that may be up to 6m of bare old wood.

So, I want to tidy up our bushes and thicken up the shrub a bit. Can
you help?

When do I prune the old flowers? (I'm in Surrey just within the M25)

How much do I cut down? If I prune off the new wood, I will still be
left with very long lanky bare branches. I'm confused. The wood all
looks old to me.

It does create a great barrier with next door so I am wary off
chopping it all down if at all possible.

Your tips would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Louise

'Rebecca',

This site will help you as it covers most aspects of pruning buddleia.

http://www.communigate.co.uk/london/...b/page14.phtml

I live in the Midlands and have just pruned mine (davidii) down to about
1' from ground level and that will encourage strong new growth and large
flowers.

Regards,
Emrys Davies.




"Rebecca" wrote in message
om...
Dear All,

After inheriting a garden with our new house, and spring approaching,
now is time for more questions. I hope you can help.

We have a few budlea shrubs (not sure what kind, but the common purple
variety) which are quite sparse on branches and about 4m high and span
about 15m across in total. The old flowers hang on the end of branches
that may be up to 6m of bare old wood.

So, I want to tidy up our bushes and thicken up the shrub a bit. Can
you help?

When do I prune the old flowers? (I'm in Surrey just within the M25)

How much do I cut down? If I prune off the new wood, I will still be
left with very long lanky bare branches. I'm confused. The wood all
looks old to me.

It does create a great barrier with next door so I am wary off
chopping it all down if at all possible.

Your tips would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Louise