How to prune buddleja alternifolia

Immediately after flowering, typically early to mid-July. Cut flowered shoots back to strong new laterals lower on the stem. Each year remove one-third of the oldest stems to the base to keep a supply of vigorous young wood. The plant can be trained as a small weeping standard by maintaining a single upright leader.

Annually, right after flowering. Yes, prune annually — but the timing is the opposite of common butterfly bush. Buddleja alternifolia blooms on the previous year's wood, so pruning immediately after the early-summer flush preserves next year's flowering wood. Hard pruning in spring removes all buds and eliminates the season's display.

Cut flowered shoots back to strong new laterals lower on the stem. Each year remove one-third of the oldest stems to the base to keep a supply of vigorous young wood. The plant can be trained as a small weeping standard by maintaining a single upright leader.