deadheading butterfly bush

[musiclvr56]

I asked the nursery where I bought this how to deadhead this plant and he said either above or below the first set of leaves. I don't know whether to count the leaves hugging the flower and again, forgot if he said above or below-memory problem!
I searched the web for how to deadhead this bush and saw a few different ways. One was to pinch the flower where it meets the twigs and another said but back dead flowers to the next set of flours.
Being a former legal secretary, I am detailed oriented.
I am confused as to what to do and would appreciate advice.
Thanks,
Karen

[musiclvr56]

Thanks for the reply. I neglected to mention that I bought this bush this summer. After I finish lunch, I am going to look for that "bump". You mentioned about "maturing"-since this is not mature, will that bump not be there and if not, with what I wrote in my post, how should I deadhead. Right now, I have no flowers. I wonder if this means I won't get any more. I was told this would flower until frost.

Thanks!
Karen

[musiclvr56]

Thanks for the reply.

There are no bumps so maybe that's the end of the blooms for the year which could surprise me because I was told it would bloom until frost, but I'll see what happens. I have been gardening for seven years and have become more comfortable with plants. It's an experiment anyhow! I live in Massachusetts and when the time gets closer, I will think about the pruning aspect.

Have a wonderful day!

Karen

[Carol Armstrong]

I wouldn't worry too much about pruning ! As a general rule the harder you prune the bigger your blooms will be the following year. It all depends on how big you want your bush to grow. It will grow a lot bigger than 6 foot if left to its own devices, but the flowers will be smaller. Where you cut in the stem doesn't matter a jot, and I think your supplier was being very optomistic telling you it would flower till the frosts ! Good luck !