Hi, Kim
Give your shrub the 'fingernail' or 'scratch test'. Gently scrape away a thin layer of bark on one of the upper branches. If you see green, the shoot is alive. No green, go farther in and/or farther down the plant. No worries if the top growth is dead because Buddleja is in pruning group 6 which means it should be pruned to a low, permanent frramework every spring just when the buds begin to swell. I have always hard-pruned my Buddleja because I don't like it when they get lanky and too open. 'Lochinch' is hardy so I suspect, as long as there was no problem at planting, it should be fine and you should see signs of life this month (if,of course, it is warming up where you live).
Kathy C
Replied: Tuesday 8th of March 2011 06:59 PM
