When you prune the wood the tissue should be green if it
s brown that means that particular branch is dead. I don't cut them back that far but if you do you'll get a fuller plant.

Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials

Butterfly bush is jsut about the last thing to leaf out around here, weeks after some of the early growers. Some people remove their BBs in late spring because they think they are dead. Give yours some time and it will probably put out some growth. Unfortunately, my husband did not know this and decided to surprise me by working in the garden while I was gone. He proudly showed me where he had cleaned out the dead bushes. Oops.

One thing I learned verrrry quickly, is to only cut them back in early spring. If you cut them back in late fall, most likely they will not survive the winter. I agree with Bull Thistle, but when you are cutting them back in spring, you'll be able to see which branches have died out and which ones are still alive, and you'll probably also get some new basal growth after pruning as well.

Susan

I have a butterfly bush I'd like to move. Any suggestions?Thanks,

Pat

I don't think they are particularly difficult to relocate. How large is your bush?

Susan