Help With Our Black Knight Butterfly Bush

Question

We planted our Black knight butterfly bush seven weeks ago, on the west side of our house, it gets 6-7 hours of sunlight. It started out with a bang, with big blooms but they died off fast and the new ones don’t seem to be as big even as small as about an inch and they die off??? We have watched several you tube videos with conflicting ideas to really water to only water 2 times a week or less? to fertilize and not to fertilize?? we are just wondering if you have any tips or ideas for us, we are so confused about the watering issue. It has been steadily in the high 80’s to low 90’s for the past few weeks. I hope you may have some suggestions for us? Thank you.

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Answer 1

I've grown a Black Knight before and it got tall but not very full. Butterfly bushes rarely need fertilizer so be careful with that. They need to be pruned almost to the ground in late winter. You can choose whether to deadhead; they look tidier if you do. Well draining soil is important so they don't get root rot. Once established, they only need to be watered during dry spells.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/butterfly-bush/butterfly-bush-care.htm