Plant of the Month- June June 11th, 2017

I help manage the Master Gardeners of Alameda County Livermore Demonstration Garden. Each month we chose a plant that we believe is a stand out in the garden

June Plant of the Month:

Butterfly Bush  Buddleja (Buddleia) davidii

Butterfly Bush is a fast growing large shrub with colorful cone shaped clusters of blooms in several shades of blue, pink, purple, and white. Pollinators feast upon it. They bloom May through September especially if deadheaded.

The plant is rated as moderate water users (40-60% Et0 This means they need about 3-5″ of water a month midsummer in NorCal.)  They cialis pas cher survived the drought but looked a bit stressed. This year they look amazing full of blooms.

If cut back each winter, butterfly bushes can be kept to 6′, but naturally they can get as tall as 12’+. At the demo garden we usually cut them back to 2′ each Winter (Dec or Jan) and they are 5′ by end of May. Blooms have to be deadheaded to promote new blooms.

In the past few years,  dwarf varieties (Lo and Behold and Buzz series) have been released. They stay under 2-3′ and in some cases self clean.

Note/Warning

In some part of the country Buddleja are considered invasive, so I recommend that you get the varieties that are considered seedless or sterile. I have never seen this problem in summer dry California, but as I get annoyed when nurseries sell plants I consider a pest in my area I honor their concerns. Be aware of what you are planting and whether it is considered a problem to the environment in your area.

More information

http://www.butterflybushes.com/butterfly_bushes.htm

http://www.buddlejagarden.co.uk/

http://www.daytonnursery.com/encyclopedia/perennials/Buddleia.htm