True Blue Butterfly Bush from Garden Debut (2024)

FAQs

How do I know if my butterfly bush is alive? ›

Alive stems are firm, yet still pliable. When you cut or scrape them, there will be a green cast on the inside.

Care Guide

If you live in a cold climate area, try planting it in a sunny spot sheltered from cold winds. Prune your plant regularly to keep it from getting too tall and out of control. Water regularly and feed once a month using an all-purpose fertilizer.

Fast growing; reaches 4 to 6 ft. tall and wide. Asexual reproduction of plants protected by the Plant Patent Act is prohibited during the life of the patent. Prefers well-drained, fertile soil.

Butterfly bush is usually planted from potted nursery starts or planted from seeds in the spring. It is a very fast-growing plant that usually reaches maturity within a single growing season, but some wariness is warranted, as this plant self-seeds so readily that it is considered a noxious weed in some regions.

If it's late in the spring and you discover dead growth on your butterfly bush, prune it away. New growth can only come from living stems, and this should encourage it to start growing. Don't do it too early, though. A bad frost after this kind of pruning can kill back all that healthy living wood you've just exposed.

After a harsh winter or cool spring, you may not see signs of interest until June or even early July. But if the roots survived, they will quickly generate new growth and blooms for the butterflies to enjoy from August until frost.

Give butterfly bush about an inch of water a week while they're actively growing, if rain isn't sufficient, but don't worry if you occasionally forget to irrigate. In the first year after planting, these bushes need regular water to develop strong roots.

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.

Too much water. If your butterfly bush is not blooming and is also boasting some yellow leaves, you may be overwatering your plant! Butterfly bushes do not like to have “wet feet”, and prolonged periods in wet soils will make them stressed. A plant under stress is not likely to bloom.

Life cycle. As a caterpillar, the common blue eats leaves. As an adult butterfly, it feeds on wildflower nectar and excrement. The adult lives 3 weeks.

Do butterfly bushes have a lifespan? ›

Typically, a butterfly bush will live about 10 years. You may find some plants that live longer than that, but it's a rare case. Proper care of a butterfly bush will help it live longer and thrive in your garden.

While great for pollinators, butterfly bushes are an environmental concern because of the plant's high reproductive success. Butterfly bushes frequently overcome and replace native shrubs and plants, making them an invasive species. Due to their lightweight, long-lasting seeds, butterfly bushes quickly reproduce.

The bush should bloom abundantly even in its first year. In warmer climates, the bushes will grow into trees and develop rugged trunks that peel; peeling is normal. In the northern limit of their range, they behave as herbaceous perennials, dying back to the root in cold winters.

"A note if you've never grown butterfly bushes: They 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.

Butterfly bushes do best when planted in early spring or summer, but when the temperatures are hotter keep them well-watered. An island bed planted with a butterfly bush (or several) will help attract these lovely pollinators. Other places to use them include perennial beds and borders and cottage or wildlife gardens.

Step 1 – Scrape test

Take a pair or pruners or a knife and scrape a stem. Check the spot to see if it has green or tan underneath. Green means your plant is still alive (left). Light tan means the branch is dead (right).

Pruning will encourage new leaves and flowers as you water and add the necessary plant nutrients. Trimming your bush is also an excellent way to keep the bushes neater while giving the direction of proper growth. Be sure the bushes are not infected with any disease such as mold or insect infestation.

Butterfly Bush Problems

If you find that your bush is not flowering, for example, it probably is not getting enough sunlight. They absolutely must have full sun if you want maximum flowering. You can also avoid many butterfly bush pests and diseases by planting the shrubs in well-drained soil.

For non-dwarf butterfly bushes, cut back to 12 to 24 inches and remove any dead or broken branches. (Or cut back nearly to the ground. Butterfly bushes will still resprout and bloom!) For dwarf types such as 'Blue Chip' and 'Buzz', cut back by at least half the height in early spring.