it is a wiegela and it will grow very big!

Ok I'm convinced!:) Thanks for the replies and that's why I asked, I figured other gardeners would know. This was a bush I hadn't grown before. I saw it on walks growing over a stone wall early last summer and when I saw young plants in Lowe's I couldn't resist. I've seen it growing straggly and I've seen it growing pretty good shaped. I'm aiming for the latter which is why I was experimenting with some cutting to see if I could encourage other growth last fall when it was still actively growing and blooming. My bushes all bloomed long past when they were supposed to, I've still got a few azaleas blooming on one bush even through the freeze. Another question then I've just gotten out of the 20's two days ago now there was only minimal frost damage to these plants, you're saying this is a good time to go ahead then and cut it down now? Thanks again and I appreciate all your comments and advice, it's alot more information than what I got off the internet. Leslie

Just for the record, butterfly bushes are not native to the US and are considered invasive in many areas of the country - certainly not an appropriate plant to be recommending on a Native Plants forum. As to attracting butterflies, Joe Pye weed - Eupatorium - is a great native alternative, although butterflies are attracted to pretty much any nectar-rich flowers........it is the larvae that are much more specific in their feeding habits. Nancita, while some native plants might be very appropriate for your landscape, I think what you are really looking for is low maintenance plantings. And these can include exotics as well as natives (just because a plant originates from another part of the world does not make it necessarily undesirable) and less common plants as well as the standards like yews and boxwoods. A good local independent garden center should be able to help you with selection but I'd think about including lilac, hydrangeas, clethra, viburnums, dwarf conifers, ninebark and spiraea. Not all natives but many flower, none are overly aggressive or invasive and all are low maintenance. One of my favorite non-green (variegated) plants is Goshiki false holly (Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki') which has soft - not pokey - holly-shaped leaves and marvelous green-gold-cream marbled foliage that emerges with a slight reddish tint. Only just hardy for your area (zone 6) this plant combines beautifully with solid green foliage, gold foliage or anything with a cream variegation as well as anything with burgundy foliage. Here is a link that might be useful: Goshiki false holly

Thank you! I thought it was until it bloomed, and was then confused.