when do i cut down my butterfly bush? I live in Orange county new york, zone 5

Plants flower on the current season's growth, and bloom more profusely if stems are pruned back to 12–24″ as new shoots emerge in spring. In cold-winter climates such as ours in Connecticut, plants often die back almost to the ground; simply remove the deadwood in spring.

I cut mine back late fal or early spring. After its dormant ir before it starts growing