Question
Need to know when to trim my Cape orange honeysuckles back for the winter. When and how much? And about my butterfly bushes. Cut them how close to the ground? Is this the time to take cutting from the butterfly bushes? Hard stem or soft?
Shirley
Thanks for great advice!

Answer
Hi Shirley,
Thanx for your question.  You can trim back your cape honeysuckles after they have finished blooming.  If them aer messy, you can neaten them up but don't cut them back too severely unless you think they are out of control.  Butterfly bushes here in Zone 5B and 6A, the winter will kill the butterfly bush back to the ground so we have to cut it back after the frost, usually down to about 3 or 4 inches above the ground.  It will generate new growth next year.  In zones 7-9, I think you don't have to cut them back but they look nice if you give them a nice trim and remove the dead growth.  I hope this helps.
Tom