Early December had several weeks of cold, dry weather. It was nice to see the sun as an alternative to the ubiquitous gray of a Puget Sound winter. Even the dusting of snow for a day was exciting. Remember the last real snowfall? Was it 1996?

While we may have enjoyed the bright, but cold, days, gardens may have suffered. Winter drought can be severely damaging and cause death in prized plantings. Plants already under stress from cold, coupled with desiccation (fancy word for drying out) from chilly winds, need to be kept properly watered.

This is critical to containerized plants and those under eaves or heavy tree cover. Be sure to inspect containers regularly through the winter to be sure they are neither dry nor sopping from rain.

Established shrubs and drought-tolerant plantings can deal with winter drought for longer periods. Many of these are quite shallow rooted and may suffer as soils dry out in the wind and drought. The risk of not watering a bit is dieback and disfigurement.

A real benefit of the cold spell is that plants are now fully dormant. Necessary pruning and transplanting should be in full swing. However, don’t prune or transplant during freezing weather. Adding stress is not a good thing.

And get those bulbs planted before the New Year to give enough time for good root growth to support the lavish display you've surely planned for next spring.

Q I love my Butterfly bush but it has become huge and is taking over my yard. Is it OK to cut if back hard? Will I lose flowers next year?

A Though the lovely and fragrant Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) has been added to the list of invasives in King County, it remains a favorite garden subject. Breeders have given us bloom colors from white through deepest purple and, in every case, the bees and butterflies just love. They are also a food source for backyard wildlife habitat.

An enthusiastic and rank grower, these soft wood shrubs should be cut back heavily every year to keep them in bounds. Untended plants easily become small trees in our mild climate.

Now is a good time to get to it. Cut back new growth to 6 inches each year Don’t let them bully their neighbors. A bush that hasn’t been pruned in years should be cut back no more than half. This will encourage new growth from lower down.

Plan to renovate overgrown shrubs over a three-year cycle. Since Butterfly bush blooms on new wood each year, cutting back will only increase your enjoyment.

Deadheading regularly during the bloom season can control undesirable invasiveness. Don’t allow them to set seed even though small birds might miss a meal. The small seeds spread easily, which is why we see “escaped” plants along roadways and other untended locations.

Be a good steward and manage all your exotics.

Q I’m planning on using several Chinese Fringe Flower bushes in my garden. The tag says they grow up to 10 feet. I’ve checked with some friends and public gardens and haven’t found one over 4 feet. What should I expect?

A Loropetalum chinensis is new to many Puget Sound gardeners perhaps because it’s a bit tender. As the name implies, it’s a native of China and also Japan.

Frequently called Chinese Fringe Flower or Asian Witch Hazel, this lovely small shrub is common throughout the south and southeast states. It’s deserving of wider use here.

Introduction of a pink flowering version (L. c. rubrum) has really popularized the plant. Selections with purple-green to burgundy foliage are the most sought after (and highest priced). They share the same ribbon-like blooms, looking a bit like witch hazel in pink.

While Loropetalum may mature at up to 12 feet and 6 to 8 feet wide in the south, expect half that in Puget Sound. These tender beauties may suffer dieback from subfreezing weather. Don’t hesitate to prune for shape and location.

Loose, fertile, well-drained, acid soil is required for all varieties, so they work well with rhodies and azaleas.

Select while in bloom for leaf and blossom color. Dark leafed varieties require full sun to maintain leaf color and maximize bloom. Otherwise, light shade is acceptable but will reduce bloom. Remember, full sun in Puget Sound is a bit like part shade in the south.

E-mail inquiries and suggestions to lazy.gardener@comcast.net