butterfly bushes

Question

I
planted a bush 2yrs. ago. last year I trimmed the dead branches off and it grew but not as high as the year before. This year I trimmed the dead branches off but nothing seems to be growing yet. How can you tell if its dead or not? Bob

Answer 1

If you are seeing no new growth, it may have died off over winter.

I have seem the same results in my own garden over the past 10 years. Beautiful plant, full of blossoms, and a plant that only winters over a couple of years before if dies off.
Give it a bit more time to see if it can grow up from the roots. If you see no new growth, I would dig it up and seek a replacement.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/butterfly-bush/butterfly-bush-care.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/butterfly-bush/butterfly-bush-pruning-how-to-prune-a-butterfly-bush.htm