Butterfly bush is a member of the genus Buddleia and the family of the flowering plant Scrophulariaceae. The genus Buddlei includes greater than 100 species and cultivars. Many of the species are large shrubs, while just a few are trees. The name ‘butterfly’ was given to the plant, because it attracts plenty of butterflies. However, the shrub isn’t just appealing for butterflies, but to bees and hummingbird to boot, for its flowers and their nectar. Except its unique beauty, butterfly bush is likewise often called a low maintenance plant, which makes it a favourite for gardening purposes.
Plant Description
Majority of the species that belong to the genus buddleia are large shrubs that stretch a height of about 5 meters. However, a couple of species of butterfly plant can grow as much as a height of 30 meters and they’re considered trees. They are often evergreen or deciduous and typically produce masses of flowers, which are white, pink, red, yellow, orange and violet, dependent on the precise species. The leaves are elongated with a pointed apex and are arranged in opposite pairs at the stem. The flowers occur in clusters, that are about 10 to 45cm in length and seem in midsummer to fall. Each flower is tubular and contains four petals. The fruits contain numerous seeds and every fruit feels like a capsule, reaching a length of about 1 cm.
Butterfly Bush Care and Maintenance
Butterfly bush is a low maintenance flowering plant, that may be grown in almost any condition. Additionally, the plant is famous to be drought resistant and it would tolerate even highly alkaline soils. Once the plant succeeds to ascertain itself, it literally doesn’t require much care and upkeep or even tolerates high level of urban pollution. However, it’d need some care in the course of the early days till it matures. Watering and pruning, in addition to selecting a correct site are the primary components of butterfly bush care and upkeep, that are explained below.
Planting a Butterfly Bush
For planting butterfly bushes, crucial factor to be considered is, that the soil selected for planting the shrub must be well-drained. This shrub can also be grown in just about all soil types, provided you retain the soil moist. Places that receive a fan of full sun could be selected for planting butterfly bushes. Generally, the places that receive sunlight for no less than 8 hours an afternoon are considered ideal for growing butterfly bushes. Before planting the shrub, make sure to till the soil properly to loosen it. Also add or mix 2 to three layers of compost or mulch, which might help to retain moisture. Then dig a hole, ideally double the scale of the foundation ball of the shrub and plant it with proper care. After planting it, fill the opening and firm the soil carefully. Know more about growing butterfly bush.
Watering Butterfly Bush
Proper watering plays a key role in ensuring rapid growth of butterfly bush. The plant would want lots of water in the course of the early days, especially through the hot summer. But, once the shrub establishes itself firmly, its water requirement falls drastically. In one of these time, you needn’t water the shrub frequently. Infrequent watering, a few times a month could be sufficient for butterfly bush maintenance, in the event that they completely adapt to their surrounding and the roots become ready to hold firmly at the ground.
Pruning Butterfly Bushes
How and when to prune butterfly bush is the foremost commonly asked question, by those considering to feature butterfly bushes to their flower gardens. By way of pruning, one should understand that the gorgeous flowers, that are the most attraction of this plant, grow totally on new growth. Therefore, many gardeners consider the period of late winter or early spring to be an appropriate time for pruning butterfly bushes. They typically prune the plant almost to the floor, after they become dormant in winter. This ensures better and more prolific flowering throughout the midsummer or fall.
However, the plant is also pruned any time of the year. But, pruning through the late winter ensures that the plant easily recovers in the course of the growing period. Once the winter is over, the butterfly bush grows rapidly, because it is a quick growing plant. At other times of the year, like in spring and summer, only light pruning is needed. As we speak of the year, just bring to an end only those branches that grow uncontrolled to be able to maintain the form of the shrub. Additional info on fountain butterfly bush and the way to prune butterfly bush.
To sum up, butterfly bush is a low maintenance, fast growing plant. So far as butterfly bush care and upkeep is bothered, make sure that you maintain adequate soil moisture within the early days of growth and correct pruning. In return, the shrub will adorn your garden with those delicate pink, white, violet or red blossoms, to be able to attract lots of butterflies, bees, and infrequently, even hummingbirds on your garden, to create a very appealing sight to behold.