
Blue Chip Butterfly Bush Care
- Light. This plant needs full sun to achieve the best display of flowers. The plant will live in lower light levels but will not bloom as fully.
- Soil. Blue chip butterfly bush needs well-drained soil; otherwise, it can suffer from root rot. ...
- Water. Water young plants well to help them get established. ...
- Fertilizer. Butterfly bush is not a heavy feeder. ...
When and how to prune butterfly bushes?
Pruning Your Butterfly Bushes
- DIAGNOSIS / RECOMMENDATION. The best time to prune butterfly bush is Nov – March. ...
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. While butterfly bush ( Buddleia davidii) is not native and can be considered as invasive (1, 2), it does provide a long season of bloom (1, 2, 3).
- PHOTO SOURCE
- RESOURCE LINKS. ...
Do you cut back butterfly bushes annually?
You don’t have to prune your butterfly bushes every year, but its common practice to cut butterfly bushes very low each winter to encourage lots of new flowers next spring on the new growth. Although winter is still a few months away, we were ready to cut this bush back. So we did. Butterfly bushes are forgiving plants.
Do you cut back butterfly bushes for winter?
Should butterfly bushes be cut back for winter? Most butterfly bushes lose their leaves in late fall, and the roots remain viable underground while the plant winters over. That means in most growing zones, there is no need to prune your butterfly bush before winter. In fact, pruning too late in fall could leave it more susceptible to damage.
Do butterfly bushes need pruned?
While pruning is not necessary, butterfly bushes tend to bloom better and keep a better shape if pruned hard each spring. They can also be pruned in summer to encourage new blooms or just to tame untidy growth. Should you cut the dead flowers off a butterfly bush?

How do I keep my butterfly bush healthy?
BUTTERFLY BUSH CAREButterfly bush need full sun. ... Butterfly bush need perfect drainage. ... Butterfly bush can grow in clay soil, but require a few special accommodations. ... Prune in spring, after the new growth emerges. ... But do prune your butterfly bush. ... Be patient. ... Don't overwater. ... Avoid fall planting.
Do butterfly bushes need to be cut back?
Butterfly bushes do not need to be pruned every year. In fact, you only need to prune them when they get too large for the space allotted. But since butterfly bushes only bloom on new growth many gardeners prune them severely each spring to encourage lots of new growth and lots of flowers.
How do I keep my butterfly bush blooming?
Give your butterfly bush regular deep watering based on weather (more in peak heat or drought, for example) and prune it each spring. Assuming sun, rain, and pruning all come together, the bush should bloom fully and continuously throughout summer.
Should I cut my butterfly bush to the ground?
Most people prefer to cut back the entire shrub to within a foot or two (31-61 cm.) from the ground, which actually allows it to become more manageable. Without pruning, the butterfly bush may become a bit unruly.
How do you prepare a butterfly bush for winter?
To overwinter a butterfly bush in areas colder than zone 5, dig the shrub up from the ground in late summer or early fall and place it in a container with potting mix. Water it regularly during its transition to the pot and cut back on watering gradually until before the first frost.
Should I deadhead butterfly bush?
0:001:14How to Deadhead Your Butterfly Bush - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo when it comes to proven winter's color choice butterfly bushes you do not need to deadhead themMoreSo when it comes to proven winter's color choice butterfly bushes you do not need to deadhead them for them to re-bloom.
Are coffee grounds good for butterfly bushes?
A. Coffee grounds are a good source of slow-release nitrogen. They can be worked directly into the soil around your plants or added to your compost heap.
What is the lifespan of a butterfly bush?
Butterfly bushes, a double-edge sword Its popularity has real reasons: the plant grows fast, flowers very early on in its life cycle, and produces flowers throughout its life span of up to 30 years. The flowers smell good, are very showy and pretty, with large clusters that bloom for several days.
How do I make my butterfly bush bushier?
How to Prune Butterfly BushesStep 1 – Look for new growth. In late winter or early spring, butterfly bush leaves begin appearing low on the plant. ... Step 2 – Cut just above new leaves. ... Step 3 – Check your variety. ... Step 4 – Prune out dead stems. ... Step 5 – Walk around the plant.
What month do butterfly bushes bloom?
Butterfly Bush blooms from mid-summer to early fall. Flowers form drooping or upright spikes at the end of branches. The wild-origin species is white-flowered with orange or yellow centers. Varieties bred for the garden are typically purple; or they may have pink, blue, magenta, yellow or maroon blooms.
How do you shape a butterfly bush?
1:183:36Gardening : How to Prune Butterfly Shrubs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is a plant that can be cut back quite hard the ideal time to prune butterfly shrubs or buddlejaMoreThis is a plant that can be cut back quite hard the ideal time to prune butterfly shrubs or buddleja. As they are known as would be in spring after threat of real cold weather. And I would probably
Where should you place a butterfly bush?
Butterfly Bush Planting Choose a sunny or partly shaded area where the soil is well-drained. Soil that is constantly wet encourages rot. When planted in good quality garden soil, a butterfly bush rarely needs fertilizer. Give your butterfly bush plenty of room.
How do you prune a mature butterfly bush?
1:183:36Gardening : How to Prune Butterfly Shrubs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you cut them all at this height. And. Usually I like to cut if you look right here right aboveMoreAnd you cut them all at this height. And. Usually I like to cut if you look right here right above that's a bud there you can see some growth if you do see some growth cut right above.
Do butterfly bushes multiply?
Do butterfly bushes spread? Yes, they do. The wild species Buddleia davidii spreads rapidly, invading riverbanks, reforested areas, and open fields. It forms thick, shrubby thickets that preclude the development of other native species such as willow.
What month do butterfly bushes bloom?
Butterfly Bush blooms from mid-summer to early fall. Flowers form drooping or upright spikes at the end of branches. The wild-origin species is white-flowered with orange or yellow centers. Varieties bred for the garden are typically purple; or they may have pink, blue, magenta, yellow or maroon blooms.
What should I plant next to butterfly bush?
Pair butterfly bushes with Verbena bonariensis, pineapple sage, purple salvia, lantana, swamp milkweed and asters. Some dwarf varieties of butterfly bush can be grown well in containers.
How much sun does a butterfly bush need?
Butterfly bush need full sun. When we say full sun, we mean it – butterfly bush require a minimum of 8 hours of bright sunlight. Even in warm climates, plant them where they get no fewer than 6 hours of sun. Butterfly bush need perfect drainage.
When do butterfly bushes leaf out?
Butterfly bushes tend to be one of the later plants to leaf out in spring. Even if everything else in your landscape is turning green, that doesn’t mean you’ve lost your butterfly bush. Many people recommend waiting til as late as Father’s Day (the third Sunday in June) to be certain their butterfly bush perished.
How to tell if a butterfly bush is overwatered?
Signs of overwatering include weak stems, fewer flowers, and dieback. Avoid fall planting. Because butterfly bush may get a bit of winter damage in cold climates, it’s best to give them as long a time as possible to get established before they face the challenges of the cold, wet season.
Why do butterfly bush roots die?
Most of the time, if you lose a butterfly bush after winter, it wasn’t due to low temperatures or snow or ice – it was because the plant sat in cold, wet soil in fall or spring.
What is butterfly weed?
When most people say “butterfly weed,” they are referring to one of several species of milkweed ( Asclepias sp .), an herbaceous plant. Butterfly bush ( Buddleia sp .) is a woody plant (shrub).
Why do butterflies like butterfly bush?
Butterfly bush attracts butterflies because its flowers are high in nectar. However, this nectar only sustains the butterflies themselves – it does not provide crucial food sources for caterpillars (which are the larval or “baby” stage of a butterfly’s life cycle).
Do you prune butterfly bushes?
But do prune your butterfly bush. Left unpruned, large butterfly bushes can become “second story” plants: their flowers form way up at the top so you can’t enjoy them unless you have a second story window. The warmer your climate, the more you should cut back your butterfly bush each spring. Even dwarf varieties like our Lo & Behold ® series still need pruning – you’ll just be cutting back less than you would on a variety that reaches 8’ tall.
What kind of soil do you need for a blue chip butterfly bush?
Soil. Blue chip butterfly bush needs well-drained soil ; otherwise, it can suffer from root rot. For the same reason, at planting time, if you have clayey soil, make your planting hole shallower than normal, so that the base of the plant sits slightly above ground level.
When do butterfly bush re-emerge?
The butterfly bush will re-emerge from its root system in spring. Thus, despite being classified as a shrub, it is often treated as if it were an herbaceous perennial .
How tall is a blue chip butterfly bush?
Buddleia davidii (Blue Chip is a cultivar name) Common Name. Blue Chip butterfly bush. Plant Type. Broadleaf , deciduous, flowering shrubs. Mature Size. Height of 24 to 36 inches, with a similar width.
Why is Blue Chip Butterfly Bush called Blue Chip?
Back to Top. Blue Chip is a butterfly bush, so named because they actually do attract a variety of butterflies and bees. The fact that Blue Chip butterfly bush blossoms during the latter part of the growing season means that it will display fall flowers at a time when few other shrubs are flowering, helping you to extend the sequence ...
Where is the Buddleia shrub native to?
Buddleia is indigenous to East Asia. Like many plants from China and countries in that region, the typical Buddleia grown in certain parts of North America has acted in an invasive manner. It is not invasive everywhere, but it is invasive in many areas, such as the Pacific Northwest; ask your local Cooperative Extension if in doubt. But with this particular cultivar, developers have succeeded in producing a noninvasive shrub.
Do butterfly bush plants need fertilizer?
Fertilizer. Butterfly bush is not a heavy feeder. But if you would like to give your plant a boost, use a balanced fertilizer in spring. Mulch in the fall for winter protection in cold climates, but keep the mulch away from the base of the plant to avoid root rot.
When do bluish purple flowers bloom?
Dubbed a bluish-purple, the flower really contains only a hint of bluish color. Flowering time is listed as being from mid-summer to into October. If they receive more shade than they should, this will delay bloom time. There is no need to deadhead these plants.
How to control fungus on butterfly bush?
To control fungus problems, which can flourish on wet leaves, water bushes early in the day, and use a soaker hose or drip irrigation when possible. Remove diseased plant parts and discard them — but not in your compost pile, where diseases can spread. "Miss Violet' butterfly bush. "Miss Violet' butterfly bush.
What zone do butterfly bushes need?
Butterfly bushes, sometimes called summer lilacs, are recommended for USDA hardiness Zones 5 to 10 and need full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Dig a hole about twice the diameter of the root ball, and set your plant in the garden no deeper than it was growing in its nursery pot. For maximum impact, plant in masses.
What is the blooming flower of a butterfly bush?
By midsummer, butterfly bushes, Buddleia davidii, are in full bloom, producing long, graceful wands of flowers that swallowtails, monarchs and many other butterflies — as well as hummingbirds — can't resist. Butterfly bushes, Buddleia davidii, are fast-growing deciduous shrubs that will tempt butterflies and hummingbirds to visit your garden.
How tall is a butterfly bush?
Butterfly bushes, Buddleia davidii, are fast-growing deciduous shrubs that will tempt butterflies and hummingbirds to visit your garden. Height & Width: 6' to 12' tall and similar spread, depending on variety.
How big does Miss Molly buttefly bush get?
This variety is seedless, so the plant doesn't need deadheading. 'Miss Molly' – This buttefly bush variety grows 4' to 5' tall and just as wide with ruby red-pink flowers. 'Peacock' – A compact-sized plant that bears medium-sized pink flowers. Grows only about one-third the size of other varieties.
How to get rid of Japanese beetles?
To get a handle on Japanese beetles, knock individual bugs into soapy water. They lay eggs in moist lawns, so cut back watering from late June to late July, when beetles are mating (check with your local extension office for precise timing for your area). Don’t hang Japanese beetle traps—they’ll only lure more beetles to your yard than you already have. Use caution with systemic pesticides, which you water into soil for roots to absorb and move through an entire plant. If the active ingredient is imidacloprid, this chemical has been implicated in bee colony collapse disorder.
Can Buddleia be grown in North America?
Note: Buddleia, an Asian native, can crowd out native species in North America. Some states now ban butterfly bushes on public grounds or prohibit commercial cultivation and sales of the plants. If you're in doubt about growing butterfly bushes in your area, check with your county extension service office or see the USDA list of invasive weeds.
What type of soil do blue butterfly bushes need?
Blue Butterfly Bush (Clerodendrum Ugandense) does not require strict soil quality, loam or sandy loam is preferred, and drainage needs to be good.
Where is the blue butterfly bush native to?
Blue Butterfly Bush is native to Uganda, Africa, so it is also called Jeontung of Uganda. When in full bloom, the flowers are like butterflies dancing gracefully. As pure as an angel, so beautiful and noble, as bright as the stars in the dark night.
How many filaments does a butterfly bush have?
Butterfly bush has four long slender filaments that bend forward. They are purple or white and very chic. When in full bloom, the shape of the Flower is like the butterfly dancing, the flower posture is very elegant, very ornamental.
What color are butterfly bushes?
The flowers of Butterfly Bush are pale blue to purple in color and resemble butterflies, with spreading petals, a white corolla, purplish-blue labellum, and slender stamens. Panicle is terminal. Calyx is 5-lobed, lobes rounded, greenish purplish.
Does blue butterfly bush need sun?
Blue Butterfly bush adapts to semi-sunshine to full sunshine. The hot sun makes the leaves yellow, but does not affect growth and flowering.In winter, a cold snap can cause a slight dormancy of fallen leaves. Spring and summer flowering, inflorescences stretch out from branch tips, blossoming time quite a long opening period.
When do butterfly bushes die?
In northern regions, butterfly bushes die back to the ground in winter, so wait till late in spring to make sure if it is dead. If it does not come back, trim it down to just around 6 inches from the ground. Make sure not to prune at the beginning of winter, as at that time, the stems become hollow, and pruning makes water accumulate within the branches, eventually freezing them from the inside.
What is a butterfly bush?
Butterfly bush ( Buddleja/Buddleia) is a genus of hardy flowering plants that produce appealing fragrant flower heads known for attracting butterflies and other insects. Despite being considered invasive by many ecologists, their striking appearance has helped them maintain their popularity in ornamental gardening.
What are the bugs that eat butterfly bush?
Despite having a good resistance against most bugs, the plant can be susceptible to conditions like downy mildew (fungal disease), and spider mites. Aphids, wasps, and flies may also infest a butterfly bush.
How big do wooly butterfly bush flowers get?
Wooly Butterfly Bush ( Buddleja marrubiifolia) Yet another species in the genus, it produces globule-shaped flowerheads, about ½ inch in diameter, with the plant growing up to 5 feet. Hardiness Zone: 7.
Do butterfly bush plants die in winter?
Butterfly Bush Plant Picture. Despite being perennials, most cultivars die in winter, especially in the Northern regions, with the roots growing fresh stems again the next season. So, they are not suitable if you want a low-maintenance evergreen garden.
Do butterfly bushes attract butterflies?
Another thing worth knowing is that despite their name, they are not beneficial to butterflies in any way apart from offering their sweet nectar. None of the butterfly bushes serve even as a secondary host plant for any caterpillar.
Can you start a butterfly bush from a branch?
It is possible to start a butterfly bush from branch cuttings, but it is more common to get a small plant from nursery so you can be sure that it will not turn invasive. Propagating from seeds is often avoided for the same reason.
When Do Butterfly Bushes Bloom?
But if the roots survived, they will quickly generate new growth and blooms for the butterflies to enjoy from August until frost. Check out the top flowering shrubs that birds and butterflies love.
How to keep rabbits out of my plants?
If you choose to add some winter mulch, wait until the soil freezes before covering the base of the plant with evergreen boughs or straw. Consider enclosing the mulched plant with a cylinder of hardware cloth to keep the rabbits and voles out. In late winter or early spring, cut the plants back to 4 to 6 inches above the ground. Then wait.
Is butterfly bush invasive?
Check out the top flowering shrubs that birds and butterflies love. Tip: Butterfly bush is invasive in some areas, such as the Pacific Northwest. Avoid growing it, or try planting seedless varieties like Lo and Behold Lilac Chip. Find more alternatives to invasive shrubs.
What is a Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush?
The Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush is a dwarf compact butterfly bush that packs a full-size punch. It has full flowers for such a compact plant. The bloom season is long and continuous. It is sturdy and made to survive colder climates. It is drought tolerant, and resistant to deer. It attracts pollinators with its fragrant flowers.
When does the butterfly bush bloom?
Bloom season begins in the early spring and lasts through the seasons first frost. The flower it produces is fragrant which attracts pollinators. It reaches a height of twenty-four inches. This butterfly bush has a spread of up to thirty-six inches.
How much sun does a pugster butterfly need?
Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush Care. This is a sun loving plant. It needs to be planted in full sun and receive at minimum six hours of sun per day. It has average water needs.
How long does it take for butterfly bush seeds to germinate?
Once sown, keep the seeds moist. They should germinate sometime within a few months so be patient.
Can you propagate butterfly bush?
If you want endless blooms summer through fall, consider growing butterfly bush. This attractive shrub can be easily propagated by seeds, cuttings, and division. Best of all, butterflies love it, so you’ll be welcoming these important pollinators to the garden.
