How to Winterize a Butterfly Bush

Overview

Prepare your perennials for winter to ensure a vibrant showing in spring. Winterizing butterfly bushes (Buddleia davidii) provides for the plant's safety and continued health during its dormant phase. Winterizing butterfly bushes requires only a small amount of time, and the effort will pay off when the plants return in the spring with beautiful, fragrant blooms.

Step 1

Remove any debris and weeds growing around the base of the butterfly bush.

Step 2

Cut the butterfly bush back to around 4 feet tall, or all the way back to the ground. Hardy perennials, butterfly bush will enter a dormant phase during the winter in most planting zones. The best time for a final pruning of butterfly bush is late fall. If you choose to trim the butterfly bush back to ground level, placing a stake or other type of marker at the site to remind you of its location when spring arrives.

Step 3

Add mulch around the base of the butterfly bush to keep roots from drying out over the winter. A sun-loving perennial, butterfly bush roots are more prone to rot. Too much mulch on the root system can promote rot so apply only a thin layer of mulch around the plant. Use a variety of natural items for mulch, such as sawdust, leaves, wood chips or grass clippings. Arrange mulch to within 1 to 2 inches of the base of the butterfly bush.

Step 4

Dispose of any pruned branches and any weeds pulled from around the butterfly bush. Shred them for mulch or throw them onto a compost pile. Break up any large, woody branches before composting.