Question
Good day Gill,
I have two questions.
1. I just planted three butterfly bushes about a week ago and have been watering them daily. Do the dead buds get removed or do I leave them?  Also, since I just planted them this fall, do I wait and cut them back in the spring?
2. Most of my lilacs have white spots all over their trunks and the leaves look like they're dusty.  We had a lot of rain in June but last year they seem to have the same problem.  So both years their blossoms came out but maybe lasted a couple of days.  Do you think it's time to take them down?
Thank you for your help.
Nancy


Answer
Hello Nancy

Thank you for your questions.

1. - the butterfly bushes (Buddleia).  You mention dead buds, not dead flowers, so I'm guessing that the buds developed but didn't open?  If that is the case, it could be that you have watered them too much.  Unless you are in a particularly dry area or have had a very dry spell, watering once a day could do more harm than good!  Twice a week should be enough during the growing season - which is coming to an end now, so you could stop the watering.  

By all means cut off the dead buds and during the growing season faded flowers should always be removed to encourage the plant to develop more.  

Buddleias should always be pruned in the spring.  In fact, once the plants are established, they can be cut back to within a foot off the ground every year - they make an enormous amount of growth in just one season.  Having said that, I must admit that I only cut mine back that hard every other year!  Usually I only cut back to half their height and take out any damaged stems or stems which are crossing and rubbing on others.

2. - Lilac (Syringa).  I could take a shot at what I think is going on here, but plant pathology is not my area of expertise, so I'm going to suggest that you go back to the AllExperts gardening main menu and click on the link to 'Plant Diseases' where I'm sure that you will find an Expert who can help you to identify and deal with this problem.