Winterizing My Butterfly Tree

Question

Will burlaping my butterfly bush that is planted outside help it from dying during the winter? What else aside from bringing it in can I do?

Answer 1

Butterfly bushes are generally hardy to zone 5 or 6, so unless yours is in a container, it should do fine outside. I would mulch it well, though. If you expect extreme temperatures, you could cover it.

In late winter, or early spring, cut it down to 6 or 8 inches. They grow fast and bloom on new wood, so there is no reason to keep the old growth. (If your bush is in a container I would bring it inside to an unheated garage or basement.) I have found most of the butterfly bushes I've owned were short lived. They came back only two or three years. However, I had one that returned more than 10 years, so you never know.

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

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