The botanical name of Butterfly
bushes is Buddleia davidii and the plants are grown for their long panicles of
colorful flowers and their ability to attract butterflies and beneficial
insects. The plant bloom in spring and summer, but the naturally attractive
shape of the shrub and evergreen foliage keep the bush interesting, even when
it is not in bloom. The Butterfly bushes plants tolerate a variety of
conditions and are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones five through nine. Continue
reading to find out more about butterfly bush planting and care.
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Planting Butterfly Bush
Actually planting a butterfly bush in
an optimum location will really minimize the time you will spend on
maintenance. Make sure you choose a sunny or partly shaded area where the soil
is well-drained. Soil that is constantly wet can easily encourage rot. If the
butterfly bushes are planted in good quality garden soil, the plant will rarely
need fertilizer. Make sure you give your butterfly bush plenty of room. The butterfly
bush plant tag will tell you the mature size of the cultivar you have chosen.
Although the plants tolerate severe pruning to maintain a smaller size, you can
reduce the time you’ll spend pruning the plant by planting it in a location
with plenty of room for the plant to develop its natural size and shape.
Butterfly bushes grow from six to twelve feet tall with a spread of four to fifteen
feet.
Note: The butterfly bush plant is
considered an invasive plant in many regions. Make sure you check with your
local extension office prior to planting to ensure that the plant is permitted
in your area.
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Butterfly Bush Plant Care
The butterfly bush plant care is
easy. Just water the plant slowly and deeply during prolonged dry spells so
that the soil absorbs the water deep into the root zone. The butterfly bush plants
don’t need fertilization unless grown in poor soil. You can fertilize with a two
inch (5 cm.) layer of compost over the root zone or scratch in some
general-purpose fertilizer if you need to enrich the soil. Cover the root zone
with a two to four inch layer of mulch. This is mainly important in cold
climates where the roots need winter protection. The most labor-intensive part
of caring for this shrub is deadheading. In spring and summer you need to remove
the spent flower clusters promptly. The seed pods will develop when the flower
clusters are left on the plant. When the pods mature and release their seeds,
weedy young plants emerge. The butterfly bush plant seedlings should be removed
as soon as possible. The young plants that are cut off at ground level may
re-emerge, so remove the roots along with the top growth. Don’t be tempted to
transplant the butterfly bush seedlings into other parts of the garden.
Butterfly bushes are usually hybrids, and the offspring probably won’t be as
attractive as the parent plant.
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Butterfly Bushes Problems
Butterfly bushes problems are root rot and the
occasional caterpillar. Planting the butterfly bushes in well-drained soil will
help to eliminate the chances of root rot. Some of the symptoms are yellowing
leaves, and in severe cases, twig or stem dieback. Growing a plant that attracts
butterflies, also attract the presence of caterpillars. Though in most cases
the damage is minimal and you will have to stand close to the plant to notice
it. It is actually best to leave the caterpillars alone unless their feeding
activity does substantial damage to the plant. Japanese beetles most times feed
on butterfly bushes. The use of insecticides to control Japanese beetles is
usually ineffective, and more likely to destroy the abundance of beneficial
insects attracted to the plant than the beetles. You can easily use traps and
handpick the insects, and then treat the lawn for grubs, which are the larval
form of Japanese beetles.
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