You don't have to trim them back, but....That seven footer is going to bear
its flowers at the ends of those seven foot (plus) branches, not at eye
level where you can appreciate them. They get sort of ungainly-looking, if
not pruned, IMO.

You don't have to take them back to the ground. Mine come through the
winter just fine here in PA, zone 6, but I take them back to about 2-3 feet.
That way they end up blooming at eye level. I have one I use as a screen
that I cut back to 4-5 feet. They're not very fussy; you can do as you
please with them.

Sue

Zone 6, Southcentral PA

"Fleemo" wrote in message
om...
After searching through the newsgroups, it appears that most people
cut back their butterfly bushes nearly to the ground. However, out
here in sunny California (Zone 9), the foliage on both my Butterfly
Bushes came through the winter quite nicely. One is a shrub-sized
bush about three feet tall and wide, while the other is the same
bushiness, but nearly seven feet tall.

If the bush is looking healthy, is there a reason to cut it back to
the ground? Does it flower on new growth, or does the pruning
stimulate flower production? Or should I just leave well enough
alone?

Thanks.

-Fleemo