What is a butterfly bush? Does it really attract
butterflies? Buddleia does indeed attract many
varieties of butterflies including Fritillaries, Western
Tiger Swallowtails, Tortoiseshells and Red Admirals.
The bush has blossoms in white, red, pink, yellow,
purple, blue and maroon that cover the entire bush.
They look much like lilac blooms and are honey
scented. Red varieties may attract hummingbirds!
The butterfly bush was brought to England in the
1700s. It is a native of China where it's called
summer lilac. Butterfly Bushes
come in many varieties
and blooms from midsummer through September.
It grows best in fertile, well-drained soil. However,
it's very drought tolerant and will survive in some
pretty tough situations. In fact, in some places it's
considered invasive, so it's recommended that if
you live in a natural, wilder area it's best to pull up
any volunteers rather than let them spread. The
bush can grow from 5 -10 feet and it has a
wide, arched branching. You'll need about 6 foot
between bushes when spacing.
It's recommended
that you cut back the bush each year in winter-in
cold climates this would be around November. How
close you cut it depends on where you are. If you
have a lot of heavy snow it's better to trim back to
around 3 foot or so and mulch. If your snow if light
then even a foot is okay. It will grow back the next
season, and it helps keep it under control. If you do
not do this, then at least prune well each year and
remove the old woody branches. In warm climates
you may cut it back after blooming to encourage a
second bloom. Deadheading the blooms can also
extend the bloom time, so it's worth the effort.
The butterfly bush needs full sun but will grow
in light shade if that is what's available. They
are great grown on their own, or in the very
back of a border. Of course they are perfect
for a butterfly or hummingbird garden. It can
be grown from seed though it is a challenge.
Pre-chill the seeds for 4 weeks before sowing.
They need light to germinate so very lightly
cover. They will take up to 90 days to germinate.
The easiest way to obtain is from a purchased
plant, or stems that have been cut and rooted.
A note if you've never grown butterfly bushes. They
do look dead first thing in the spring and some
branches die, but wait until May and June to see
how it's done over the winter. If there are some
dead branches, simply trim them off. In climates
like Michigan and other Midwestern states it dies
back, and growth only comes from the new wood,
so you will have pruning to do in the spring.
Buddleias also make pretty cut flowers. Cut when
half the flowers on the stem are open, but before
they begin to fade. These should last about a week
in a vase, with a conditioner and the water refreshed
now and then.
QUESTION & ANSWER
I planted my first butterfly bush this spring. It was growing
beautifully, now in the last few weeks it is turning yellow in
stem of the leaf.I have giving it plant food 2 time this season,
it is in full sun, mulch is around the plant, and the plant looks
ready to bloom, but I think leaves will be dead before that.
Any advice would be appreciated. ~Hummingbirdcole
It could be spider mites, and if so, try spraying the leaves,
especially the underside, with a soap spray. Catherine, the
Herb Lady, had shared her spray method and I put it here:
spray.html.
Also, make sure it's getting water, but not TOO much-- you
don't want it wet all the time, but don't let it get bone dry
either. I wouldn't feed it any more this season, just try the
spray.
About the author:
Brenda Hyde is a wife and mom to three living in the Midwest
United States. She is also editor of OldFashionedLiving.com.
Perennial & Landscaping Resources
Breck's: Bulbs & Plants
Spring Hill Nursery
Michigan Bulb
Henry Field's
Gurney's Seed & Nursery
Nature Hills Nursery
