- 1). A butterfly bush, which is a hardy perennial, may be pruned in preparation for winter when the bush will enter a dormant phase in most planting zones. The best time for a final pruning is in November. Cut the bush back to a height of about four feet or all the way back to the ground.
- 2). Remove the weeds growing around the base of the butterfly bush. Hand pull any weeds that have sprung up and generally clear the area around the plant.
- 3). Mulch the area to keep the roots from drying out over the winter. Because a butterfly bush is a sun-loving perennial you should use a thin layer of mulch. The roots of sun-loving plants are more prone to rot so too much mulch on the root system can be a bad thing. Mulch may be sawdust, wood chips, leaves or grass clippings. Mulch can be placed to within 1 to 2 inches of the base of the plant.
- 4). If you trim the bush back to ground level, place a stake or some type of marker at the site to remind you of its location when spring comes.
- 5). Gather the branches you have pruned and the weeds you have pulled and shred them for mulch or throw them on a compost pile.
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