How To Care For Butterfly Bush

In cold climates treat as perennials cutting back close to the ground in late winter or early spring.

How to care for butterfly bush. Flower spikes form on new wood so watch for new growth if pruning in spring. In the first year after planting these bushes need regular water to develop strong roots. A majority of the species that belong to the genus buddleia are large shrubs that reach a height of. Dig a hole that is twice as deep and wide as the root ball of the plant.

Caring for butterfly bush give butterfly bush about an inch of water a week while theyre actively growing if rain isnt sufficient but dont worry if you occasionally forget to irrigate. Prepare the soil by loosening it and apply some compost. Begin the mulch about 3 inches from the base of the butterfly bush to reduce the chance of disease. In mild climates prune larger varieties in late fall or early spring to clean up and maintain shape.

Butterfly bushes can also be propagated by stem cuttings. When to prune butterfly bush. Caring for a butterfly bush. Essential care and maintenance tips for the hardy butterfly bush plant description.

Remove spent flower spikes to encourage new shoots and. The plants dont need fertilization unless grown in poor soil. Water the shrub slowly and deeply during prolonged dry spells so that the soil absorbs the water deep into the root zone. Separate sections of roots with some shoots and replant in a similar location in compost amended soil.

Use clean hand pruners to clip flower panicles off just above the next leaf as they fade throughout the summer and into the fall. In the summer water if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. Avoid fertilizing butterfly bush. Moisten the soil around the shrub and dig up the clump.

How to care for a butterfly bush butterfly bush care is easy. If the name gaura doesnt roll off the tongue it helps to remember the greek origin of the word gauros which means superbalso known as wandflower whirling butterfly and bee blossom gaura lindheimeri can range from 15 inches to four feet tall but most new cultivars are bred to be compact and container friendly. Remove the plant from the container it came in and gently ruffle the roots to free them up a little and put the plant in the hole the crown. Too much fertility promotes leaf growth over flower production.

Butterfly bushes can be divided and transplanted in early spring or fall. Apply a 12 inch layer of compost followed by a 3 inch layer of mulch to the soil each spring. Butterfly bushes are vigorous self seeders and are considered. The soil selected for planting a butterfly bush should be well drained.

Space butterfly bushes at least 5 to 10 feet apart.