I have 2 buddleias that were planted last year - both have grown 'long and lanky' with one main stem and only a few bits at the bottom. The nursery said to trim them back in the winter but gave no indication as to how much to take off and also which month they felt was the best.

Do I cut them back hard and hope they shoot away from the base and bush up or is there a more genteel way to do the job. My gardening books just say prune but not how much.

One is Pink Delight and the other is a dark colour but the name escapes me. Black Prince? Both flowered over the summer and are quite healthy. Also are they fully deciduous or just drop here and there?

Cathy

The nicest ones I have seen have been hard pruned almost back to the main stem which has produced a fountain like effect of flowering stems.

They are not so demanding as to require a specific month in which to prune. Choose a day when it is pleasant to be outside.

Firegirl