The mystery plant is a Butterfly Bush. The fellow that gave it to me emailed me and told me that was what it is, it is in the high 50's, it says to prune it down to the ground, would it be a good idea to do that now? One branch is higher than my head! Maybe if I do that it will bloom, the leaf buds are on there now, I have looked on several web pages and all the images of the leaves look like mine, so will be happy if it ever blooms. I have a bench that I like to sit on that is not far from it and if the hummingbirds like it, I can sit there and watch them enjoy it!
My practice is to prune Butterfly Bushes down to about 6 to 8 inches in the spring. They sure are pretty, and love summer heat.
Indestructible plants. I have trained them into small trees, but now just keep my one remaining one trimmed to three feet in spring and then let it do its thing. Mine is in partial shade and still has lots of blooms for bees and butterflies. You'll really enjoy it.
I normally trim mine near the ground the end of March. This year winter won't end here in PA. I don't see any growth yet. Butterfly bushes bloom on new growth.
