I Pruned My Buddleia Back Into Old Wood A Few Weeks Ago.

[RATTER15]

I then removed them from containers and planted them in the garden, they now look like they are really struggling with very little greenery on them.

Do you think they will pick up.

I admit that I am a novice gardener, I know very little about gardening but I am enjoying learning.

[Togo]

Buddleia is on of the banes of a gardeners life Ratter. They are great survivors and very invasive. I trust you have not put it close to your property. I am pretty sure that if you get nothing from them this summer, that they will survive. The flowers attract butterflies like no other, hence the sobriquet butterfly tree. Enjoy your garden.

[douglas9401]

They're indestructible Ratter, if you don't get much this year you'll have plenty next.
I prune ours to the ground every year and it always comes back strong.

[RATTER15]

Thanks Togo, We are more than happy for some buddleia to take over a few areas, the garden is very large and we just love seeing the butterflies, last year they were covered in red admirals most days during the summer.

We do have a couple fairly close to the house but they will be kept pruned back fairly well.

[Togo]

It is the roots that cause structural damage Ratter. Very deep and widespread. I have seen damage to footings and solid interior floors.

[RATTER15]

As long as we keep the plant well controlled so it stays quite small I don't think the roots will be too much of a problem.

[Togo]

Job done Ratter. What colour are the flowers?

[Chipchopper]

I cut my buddleia back to about 18 inches in mid April, some of the new shoots on mine got damaged by a few sharp, surprise frosts but they seem to be making a good recovery now.
I remember TV's Monty Donn saying that if you prune them in April, you should have a longer flowering period. I guess I was unlucky with the frosts but they're looking ok now.

[RATTER15]

I think the frost dome a lot of damage as well. ours had a fair bit of new growth until the frost.

[Chipchopper]

Yeah, I recon so, but they are tough as nails, I think they'l survive :-)