Planting Buddleia Plants | Butterfly Bushes

Planting and Caring for Buddleias: Your Guide to Thriving Butterfly Bushes!

Hole Preparation: Dig holes 8 to 14 inches wide and approximately 12 to 14 inches deep, or at least 2 times larger than the container the plants arrived in. Pour water into the hole until it is about 2 inches deep and allow the soil to soak it in.
Removing Plant from Container: Tap the container bottom on the ground and cup the base of the plant and top of the container with one hand. Tip the container over and gently pry the plant's root system out of the pot.
Root Preparation: Holding the root system with soil in both hands, gently pull the bottom of the root system to loosen it and allow the roots to stretch. Comb through twisted roots with your fingers to straighten them out.
Planting Depth: Hold the plant steady at the base of the trunk, slightly above ground level, over the hole. Fill the hole with soil around the root system, lightly pressing every few inches.
Watering: Water the plant again, filling up to 2 inches of the hole. Add more soil if the level drops and lightly press down.
Mulching: Apply 2 to 3 inches of shredded bark mulch or aged compost mix, forming a well around the base of each plant.

First Month: Water the plant every 2 to 3 days, adjusting for deep rainfall days. Gradually phase into less frequent watering, allowing the plant to find moisture on its own.
Summer: Water more frequently during the hottest part of summer, especially during drought conditions. It takes approximately 3 to 6 weeks for container plants to establish and begin putting on new roots.

Sunlight: Buddleias can be planted in full to partial sun with 4 to 8-foot spacing. They generally look best in groupings of 3 to 5 plants.
Soil: Alkaline soil (pH 6.5 to 7.0) is usually preferred.

Fertilizing: Fertilize in spring with a slow-release general fertilizer.
Deadheading: Regular deadheading will keep the plants blooming longer during the season.
Pruning: In cooler areas (zone 6 and north), Buddleias can be cut back nearly to the ground in winter. Colder winters in zone 7 may also require cutting back to the lower plant. As they age, you may have a small shrub that can be pruned in winter.

Spider Mites: One of the most common problems that Buddleias experience is spider mites. Regular (monthly) spraying of a miticide can handle this. To check for spider mites, place a piece of plain white paper under several branches/leaves and tap the higher branches. Tiny red/rust-colored spots on the paper indicate infection.

Follow these expert tips to ensure your Buddleias thrive and add vibrant color to your garden!

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