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Butterfly Bush is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 15 feet high. The opposite-growing leaves, 5-10 inches long, have jagged edges. Butterfly Bush blooms from mid-summer to early fall. Flowers form drooping or upright spikes at the end of branches.
Do butterfly bushes grow fast?
This shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24″ per year.
How much space do butterfly bushes need?
Spacing: Space butterfly bushes 5 to 10 feet apart depending on the variety. Plant dwarf varieties closer together. Planting: Plant butterfly bushes in early spring or fall. If planting in midsummer in hot climates, be sure to provide plenty of water and even some afternoon shade.
Why you should never plant a butterfly bush?
The shrub is actually considered to be invasive, meaning it competes with the native plants in the area and will continue to spread and be harmful to the local eco-system. Not only is butterfly bush harmful for the eco-system but it’s also an ineffective host plant for butterflies despite the name.
How tall and wide does a butterfly bush get?
Butterfly bushes come in 2 general categories- a “larger” size that grows between 3 to 5 feet in width and 5 to 10 feet in height and the “dwarf” size that grows between 2 to 4 feet in width and 2 to 4 feet in height. There are various colors and bloom shapes that come in both categories.
Is butterfly bush invasive?
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja [or Buddleia] davidii) is a surefire attention-grabber. Although eye-catching, hardy, and seemingly helpful to butterflies and other pollinators, Butterfly Bush is far from beneficial; in fact it’s actually an invasive species that can impair the health of our local ecosystems.
Do butterfly bushes attract mosquitoes?
Although they are mostly known as blood-feeders, mosquitoes also drink nectar from flowers. The scientists chose the butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) for their experiment because it’s a very hardy plant that flowers throughout the year, and mosquitoes are attracted to it.
Can you keep butterfly bushes small?
If you’re looking for a smaller butterfly bush size, try a dwarf variety, which are in the 2 to 3-foot range. Yearly pruning will help keep the size of your butterfly bush manageable.
How big does a dwarf butterfly bush get?
Varies by cultivar; dwarf butterfly bushes can be as small as 18” tall and wide, while others can reach 7′ tall by 5′ wide.
Do hummingbirds like butterfly bushes?
The flowers from this bush is an attraction for hummingbirds because it has a high nectar count. Additionally, they are drawn to the long, brightly colored spikes resembling lilacs. As a result, it is possible to create a butterfly and hummingbird garden by including this gorgeous bloom.
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.
Is butterfly bush toxic to dogs?
Although butterfly bushes (Buddleja davidii) are not edible, they are no more toxic than any garden plant. They should be safe to plant where children, dogs, cats, and other animals live. In fact, butterfly bushes are deer resistant. They attract and feed nectar to hummingbirds and butterflies.
Will butterfly bush survive winter?
Butterfly bush is a hardy perennial in many areas of the country. Generally, the shrub can take winter cold down to zone 5 (-15 to -20 degrees) and thrives in heat up to zone 9. Still, the plant loses its leaves and goes dormant in winter to weather the cold.
Why is the butterfly bush invasive?
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. Butterfly bush is considered invasive in many states, as well as England and New Zealand.
What can I plant with a butterfly bush companion?
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.
Are butterfly bushes Hardy?
Butterfly bushes are popular and hardy from Zone 5 south to Zone 9. In the colder zones, they die to the ground each year like a perennial plants, but in more southern regions, they are somewhat evergreen.
Do bees like butterfly bushes?
Butterfly bush attracts tiger swallowtails and monarchs. But this nectar plant attracts hummingbirds, too. The shrub also attracts the bees that pollinate other plants. It’s rabbit-proof and deer-resistant.
Does a butterfly bush need a lot of water?
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.
Can a butterfly bush be split?
Dividing butterfly bush is one of the best ways of propagating the plants. It is entirely possible to divide healthy bushes as long as they are big enough.
