Can I cut down a buddlia

Question

Got a bargain buddlia, but it is tall and no lowerleaves, can I cut it down

Answer 1

When a shrub is struggling to get established in mid-summer weather, it isn't a good time to prune. Butterfly bush often loses some of its lower leaves as they get shaded out. Pruning signals "time to grow more branches". Right now, the most important task is to get those roots settled. It can be cut back to 8 inches or so in late fall, after leaf drop when it is dormant.