Butterfly bush: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
When and how do you plant butterfly bush?
Plant butterfly bush in spring or autumn when the soil is workable, unfrozen and free of waterlogging. In a garden with cold, wet winters, favour spring planting. Before buying, check local guidance on this species because it can spread beyond gardens; avoid placing it close to a sensitive natural habitat.
Choose a sunny position with good drainage. Check the expected mature spread of your plant instead of using the same spacing for every cultivar. Allow room for arching branches without blocking a path or crowding neighbouring plants. A handful of compost in the planting hole will not solve persistent waterlogging in the surrounding soil.
Moisten the rootball before taking the shrub out of its pot. Dig a hole considerably wider than the rootball but no deeper. Gently loosen any roots circling the outside. Position the top of the rootball level with the surrounding soil, backfill and firm gently to remove large air pockets.
Water thoroughly after planting. While the shrub establishes, check moisture below the surface and water when the root area starts drying out. Keep it moist rather than soggy. Mulch can reduce evaporation, but leave a clear space around the base of the stems.
When does butterfly bush flower and how do you monitor its blooms?
When and how do you prune butterfly bush?
