Butterfly Bush Is Bare In May

Question From: ILLINOIS
Q: It is May and my butterfly bush is bare! No leaves,no green anywhere on the bush. It is huge and I am afraid it is dead. The Branches at the end are very brittle and break easily. Is this bush dead? Don't know if I need to up root and plant a new one. Thank you, Judy Knolhoff

A: If you're lucky it just died back to the ground. Look closely at the base of the shrub to see and sign of green. if you see some, the shrub is alive. Cut it back hard. I'd give it another week of warm weather. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy