I planted two butterfly bushes several weeks ago. They appear to be healthy with abundant flowers and foliage. However, the branches are drooping to the point where they are almost touching the ground. All other butterfly bushes I've seen have strong branches that grow straight up. Could this be the particular species or something else? I don't know which species this is. The flowers are magenta in color. Thank you.
Newly planted perennials need daily water for the first two weeks and then you can back off, but still make sure they are receiving enough water; especially in the first few months.
Also make sure the soil is draining well, too much moisture will cause the roots to rot out.
Also make sure you are not watering down into the crown of the plant. Water the soil around the plant.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/butterfly-bush/butterfly-bush-care.htm
I think I have a blight on my butterfly bush. How do I combat this?
This is a tough one as Buddleia is often problem free. First examine the plant carefully for insects. Insects that suck juices, like mites or 4 lined plant bug can cause a dead spot in leaves. Check leaf undersides for bugs and signs of downy mildew. Is the shrub in soil that drains adequately; it is susceptible to root rot in heavy clay or where hardpan is close to the surface. (I don't think root rot is the problem here.) If all checks out OK, then we are left with fungal leaf spot. Remove all the affected leaves that you find then treat the bush with an anti-fungal from your garden center. Treat tops and bottoms of leaves. Follow instructions carefully and keep an eye out for evidence the fungal disease is coming back. At the end of the season, cut the bush down to 9 inches and rake away all plant debris. Let's hope this results in a healthy plant next year. Make sure water Buddleia at soil level, not overhead. Consider thinning out some of the branches to improve air circulation. This lessens the risk of fungal disease.
I bought a butterfly bush from a reputable garden center.It was covered in bloom.Now three weeks later Ive trimmed back all the dead blooms but no new flowers are coming out.I followed all the instructions for planting.I always buy from this nursery and have never had a problems not even with other butterfly bushes.Can you help?
You may only have blossoms once for this season. When you plant becomes more established, you should have blooms longer next season.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/butterfly-bush/butterfly-bush-care.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/butterfly-bush/butterfly-bush-pruning-how-to-prune-a-butterfly-bush.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/butterfly-bush/butterfly-bush-not-blooming.htm
My wife bought a butterfly bush. I noticed several caterpillars on it. I have never seen caterpillars like these. Does the bush attract them? Curious.
It is unusual to have caterpillars on butterfly bush. Butterfly weed is a well-known host for monarch caterpillars. There is one invasive caterpillar on butterfly bushes, the Buddleia "budworm" caterpillar. So far that has been a problem only on the West coast. Look up images to make sure that isn't what is on your plant.
I need to dig up and move my butterfly bush when is the best time and should I prune first?
The best time to do this is to wait until spring. They will do best transplanted then. When I worked for a nursery several years ago, we used to trim the tops back pretty hard, then cut off the bottom 1/3 of the roots. This will help it to recover, and come back bigger.
Here is an article that will give you more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/butterfly-bush/tips-for-transplanting-a-butterfly-bush.htm
best time to trim fall or spring
Each plant will have its own preferred time for pruning based on species, and cultivar. I will include some articles that will help with each of those in your question.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/weeping-cherry/pruning-weeping-cherry.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/spirea/growing-spirea-shrubs.htm
In Michigan winters, butterfly bush dies back almost to the ground. If leaves have dropped, it's OK to prune it down to 9 inches. Don't prune any of your plants if leaves haven't dropped. They are busy getting themselves ready for winter and dormancy. This takes about a month. Pruning during that month sends the opposite signal to the plant: grow, baby grow! Fragile new growth is then killed by winter. Spirea can be pruned anytime except spring and reducing them, even thinning out some interior branches once the leaves drop, will lessen the risk of heavy snow causing damage.
ied up and fell off. Now it isn't producing anything now. It's been 2weeks now. Was wondering if the rain killed the my bush.
Butterfly bush does not tolerate wet soil; that usually means that roots are prone to rotting. In addition, wet soil forces out oxygen which the plant roots need. Even so, I would give it another 2 weeks. It may get over the shock and rally. Do not feed it during this time but it's fine to trim it back. Good luck.