Q: I have recently planted a butterfly bush in my backyard and it's growing rapidly. When is the right time to prune it? It currently has beautiful flowers and is great for attracting butterflies, but I don't want it to get out of control.
A: Buddleias are extremely fast-growing shrubs, which is why pruning them is important. This is usually done by cutting the flowered shoots back to within 4in of the main framework, gardening expert John Negus explains.
It's a job that – in most cases – is best reserved for spring, and it's essential to time it right. Otherwise, you can stunt their flowering potential, or make them more vulnerable to frost damage.
