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DH bought me a butterfly bush for an area that will only allow for an approx. 4ft x 4ft shrub. The tag says it can get 5-8 feet tall and wide. Can I plant it in the ground, in a large pot to stunt it's growth, rather than cutting it back each year?

I have link for you Mountain Valley Growers.

http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/mvv2-94.htm

Read it to see if the bush dies back each year in your area. If it doesn't you will have to prune the flowers off because they don't drop on their own. I haven't had any luck stunting the growth of plants where I live. Then again, everything where I live grows taller than it's suppose to.

Their site list butterfly bushes that are Buddleia davidii. They list the height that each variety grows to. The Harlequin var. doesn't get over 4 feet tall.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: still tryin,

I had read this before & started to reply but decided I wouldn't be much help. Hope ST's link helps you.
My butterfly bush doesn't loose it's leaves down here & when it gets to around 7' tall I cut it back to about 3-4'! I only have to do it every other year so far.

You can keep a b'fly bush pruned to maintain it's shape and size. Here, ours lose their leaves. In early spring I cut mine back by half at least, otherwise they will make a small tree like GaKaren said. Hard pruning does not hurt them at all - you will still get plenty of blooms.

Oops, just re-read your question...you know to cut them back, sorry........hope the link helps you. Personally I don't think putting it in a pot will help at all, it will just become root bound and not perform as well.

ve

This message has been edited. Last edited by: vera ellen,

Well I have 3 and 2 that are supposed to get large have never done so in 5 years....have taken some pruning but not done too much. I got a blue chip dwarf one that is supposed to be 3' x 3' and it is adorable!!!

Think you should be ok why not try unless yo can return it?....trim the blooms and it will keep it's shape pretty much as it grows new ones from around the base where you trim!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: GreenAlice,

If its a container plant you wish to grow I suggest you think another plant other than butterfly bush. Buddleia wants to grow and since the advice is to plant them 10 feet apart should warn you of their spread.
Yes, you can try to control their size--in the garden---but in a container their roots would prove to be a big hurdle.
They draw butterflies to be sure---and bees and other polinators. They flower wonderfully but their best show should be kept in the garden--not in a pot.
Pretty soon the pot will not be what holds them and they'll eat up the nutrition of the soil that is around their roots.
With all manner of other beauty surrounding our gardens I suggest you not be coerced into thinking the butterfly bush is the only thing to draw them.

I have over a dozen butterfly bushes. I prefer to have mine pruned in the fall or spring to around 2 feet tall. Mine get huge. They are every bit of 6 feet tall right noe and were pruned this spring. They spread at least 6 feet in my yard. That being said they are one of the most beautiful bushes one can grow. They are gorgeous and a definite butterfly bee and bird magnet. I absolutely love mine. They have started to bloom in my yard already. They loose all their leaves in my yard in the fall.

Thanks for the advice and the link. My dad (who lives close) has them and prunes his back to the ground each spring. By the end of the summer some are over 8 feet tall! DH brought it home for me for this particular area, so naturally, I want to plant it (he'd be upset if I told him there was no room). He knew I wanted a butterfly bush, so he brought one home, proud as a peacock, and didn't realize the mature size. I didn't have the heart to sh00t him down by telling him it was the wrong kind.

I guess I'll plant it and see what happens. If it gets too large, I'll dig it up and make another bed for it. It really is beautiful right now, I'll take a pic tomorrow and share.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: shook29,

quote:

Originally posted by shook29:
Thanks for the advice and the link. My dad (who lives close) has them and prunes his back to the ground each spring. By the end of the summer some are over 8 feet tall! DH brought it home for me for this particular area, so naturally, I want to plant it (he'd be upset if I told him there was no room). He knew I wanted a butterfly bush, so he brought one home, proud as a peacock, and didn't realize the mature size. I didn't have the heart to sh00t him down by telling him it was the wrong kind.

Awww, your sweet not disappointing him! Mine brings me weed flowers from the woodsy area...I don't have the heart to throw them out either.