Would this work? I have a purple BF bush and was thinking of planting a Duchess of Edinborough next to it. yes? no?
Clematis paired with Butterfly Bush?
Do you cut your buddleias down to a foot or so in the spring. I do that here in my zone 5 garden. They are not tall enough yet for a clematis to grow up. The clematis start growing earlier here than the butterfly bushes. So for me it wouldn't work. Donna
I wouldn't let the clematis grown ON the buddleia. I would put a pretty metal "trellis" beside the bush for clematis to climb on, something like this.
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=144002-16418-640470
Just personal opinion, you might like the clematis on the buddleia.
This message was edited May 28, 2004 8:41 AM
I haven't cut my BFB down in the spring. Should I? and why? The bush is about 10 ft tall and about 4 ft wide. I guess I was thinking it would work like clematis and climbing roses. Thanx for your input!
In TN, I had a large Nanho Blue butterfly bush that I never cut back, it was huge. I planted a Henryi white clematis right at the base of the butterfly bush. The clematis climbed all thru the BB, and did not drag the limbs down like a moonvine I planted once(don't do that, big mistake, lol). It had been growing thru the butterfly bush for three or more years when I moved. It was so neat to see the big white flowers blooming amongst the blue of the bush.
I think any clematis would work as long as your butterfly bush was large enough to support the vine, and as long as the clematis you choose isn't an extremely vigorous one.
That's what I needed to hear cala. Someone who's tried it and it worked! I thought the white on purple would look really neat and it's right next to the climbing Iceberg rose (white)with the purple clematis growing thru it! Thanx!
Celia, pruning a BB is not needed unless it gets to unruley for the area its in....or if it dies back in winter it needs cleaned up.
The only pruning I do on mine is to shape it a bit and to remove spent blooms to promote new bloom and more branching.
As long as your bush has good firm branches your clematis shouldn't do any damage what so ever.
Pls send pix.
RikerBear
Thank you, I prune it for shaping purposes and also clip off any thin or dead branches. I think I'll go plant it right now! Thanx!