You might just want to let it die. Butterfly bush was declared a noxious weed in Oregon back in 2004. I'd look into native alternatives (I switched to buttonbush but it is NOT native to Oregon). Another option is sterile butterfly bushes. Miss Sherry has posted info about them in the past. KC Here is a link that might be useful: State bans English ivy, butterfly bush to stop spread

what are you looking for in exchange for these plants? Dont have much but maybe something you might be interested in. Just starting out here in this house. thanks

I just loved reading all the messages (though several years old) regarding your unhappy butterfly bushes. I bought a beautiful specimen 3 seasons ago (don't remember the variety); the first year, small growth, no flower; second year 2 spindly branches about 15 in high, each with a lovely purple blossom..bees, butterflies..well they seemed to ignore it! Last Fall I transplanted it to a different spot, more morning and late afternoon sun. I cut back last year's small growth this spring..checking this morning it has 6 new branches growing, all of them are between 2 & 3 inches; one is about 6 or 7 inches!..at this rate, since it is July 5 (short growing season in Zone 4), I wonder if it will have any blossoms this year. The area where I planted it is considerably rocky under the surface...hard to dig holes for planting in my front yard..have unearthed some wonderful large rocks over the years!..also some traveling tree roots have to be dealt with. Soooooo, I wonder if the ground is too challenging for it to grow in more vigorously. Or, maybe it's just too young to do much else. I did fertilize last week with a liquid organic seaweed fertilizer. Perhaps I should either move it or be patient...I do have an area on the other side of the front yard with sandy soil...so much easier to dig, but the house blocks the sun there from about 11 am on..it gets good light but not direct sun in the afternoon. I would love someone to make some suggestions...Thanks for your help!..

bumpalump, I always pick or cut off the dead blooms on all my flowers to keep seed pods from forming, all except the Rose of Sharon, way too many flowers, I just cut back all the bushes, a foot or two, after the first frost. Don't know if that's the right way though... LOL MorZ8, I planted a Butterfly bush, seedling I would guess, this year and it hasn't got over a foot and a half tall. Should I still 'hard' prune it next spring? By 'hard prune' do you mean cutting it back almost to the ground? Rita