It is only about 2 feet, maybe getting on 3 feet, in size.

Do I just cut back the branches, or do I want to cut the stocks (trunk,
whatever it is called)

How about if I cut back as this pic shows:

http://www.quickmire.com/temp/bbush1-1.jpg

or cut back everything except the stocks that show new growth?



"BiG Orange" @ wrote in message ...


--
Mike Biddle
http://www.websiteworld.com
Phone: 865-379-7171
Fax: 865-379-7173
MSN Instant Message (not email IM Only)
" Any help greatly appreciated, it is a beautiful butterfly bush, and
from
this beginner gardener, one of the oldest plants in my garden.


Looks pretty cut and dry to me. Cut back the bush, there is no new growth
anywhere at the top. Cut back the whole thing down to 3-4 feet. These
things
grow at an incredible rate.

It is not too late to cut it back. The new growth on this one will start
at
the bottom. I had one that I moved last fall that was in rough condition
from the previous owners of the house, and the main new growth all came
from
under the ground and it is growing like a weed now!