The butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) is a fast-growing, perennial shrub with masses of flowers—long, spiked trusses—that bloom from summer to autumn.
Where is the best place to plant a Buddleia?
They perform best when planted in full sun (or at least in partial shade) and in fertile, well-drained soil. Dependent on the variety, plant around 5 to 10 feet apart for a gorgeous display. Plant Buddleia in Spring or in Autumn before the first frosts and water thoroughly after planting.
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Why is butterfly bush a problem?
Because butterfly bushes offer copious amounts of nectar, they become extremely attractive to pollinators, distracting them from other native co-flowering species, and reducing the native’s reproductive success which eventually also harms the native’s populations.
Buddleja alternifolia should be pruned as it finishes flowering in midsummer. Cut back all the stems that have flowered to healthy buds, to produce flowering wood for the following season. Buddleja globosa should be pruned just to maintain a good shape or remove dead and damaged shoots.
Is Buddleia annual or perennial? – Related Questions
What happens if I don’t cut back my buddleia?
Varieties of Buddleja davidii can become very tatty if not properly pruned. If you leave buddleja unpruned, the only thing you see at eye level is a twiggy tangle of bare stems, with the blooms held at the tips of the stems, way above head height. They will also grow very large.
Do I deadhead buddleia?
Grow buddleia in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Deadhead flowers to encourage more to form and cut back hard in late spring to prevent the shrub from becoming too big.
Will buddleia flower twice?
There’s also a bonus second flush of flower heads around 25cm long in late summer, when the size of buddleia flower heads has generally shrunk to 12cm long. Caption: It’s well worth pruning buddleia for a great display of flowers. Cut all the branches back to 45cm again in May. Deadhead continually as the flowers fade.
How do you keep a buddleia bushy?
Are buddleia invasive?
It has become increasingly clear that Buddleia davidii can be highly invasive.
What time of year is best to cut back a buddleia?
In late winter or early spring: rejuvenation pruning
The best time for pruning is February on a frost-free day. In late winter, you can also give your buddleia a drastic pruning to rejuvenate it.
When should I cut my buddleia for winter?
Prune your buddleia in early spring.
You should always prune your plant in early spring. Usually, March is the recommended time for pruning. However, when to prune truly depends on your region. Severe frost, present in late spring in some areas, can cause damage to a buddleia.
Should butterfly bushes be cut back for winter?
Many people cut their butterfly bush back in autumn, as part of their fall clean up. But particularly in cold climates, this can leave your butterfly bush more susceptible to damage over winter. Do not prune until you see green buds on the stems. Make your cuts just above where big, healthy leaf buds have formed.
How much should you cut back buddleia?
How to do it
Shorten all the branches to 45cm above soil level in early spring, pruning above an outward-facing bud.
Cut all the branches back to 45cm again in May.
Deadhead continually as the flowers fade.
How long does a buddleia live?
Buddleia davidii is not a long-lived species; a 20-year-old specimen is unusually old, and 10 years is a more typical lifespan.
Should buddleia be cut back in the fall?
Regarding your butterfly bush (Buddlia), you are safe to prune it at either time as long as it is late winter moving into early spring. Avoid pruning though in early winter. The reason being, the stems are hollow and any water that accumulates in the stem and subsequently freezes will cause the wood to split.
One way to solve this is to prune back in early spring. This also encourages better flowering. Cut all the shoots back hard, to 20cm from the ground. If your spot is cold and damp, however, particularly if you are on heavy clay, then it’s worth waiting till as late as April so that new shoots don’t get frosted.
Are Buddleia invasive?
It has become increasingly clear that Buddleia davidii can be highly invasive.
How do I keep my butterfly bush blooming all summer?
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.
Do you cut off old flowers on butterfly bush?
Deadheading is not necessary on most butterfly bushes, but it can help stimulate further blooming later in the season. If you have a nonsterile variety, deadheading spent blooms keeps the buddleja from reseeding and becoming invasive.
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