Butterfly Bush

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Polymorphus Alamogordo, NM(Zone 7a) Jun 11, 2004

We planted two butterfly bushes last year and while we didn't think they would make it, this year they came back beautifully. However, this past week we notice one bush has wilted, with some very dry looking stems, while the other stems are fine. The bushes are about 4 ft high now, and have had nice purple flowers blooms. Do these blooms need to be deadheaded? Both bushes have been getting equally enough water and are just planted about 3 ft apart. It is baffling us. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Post #905497
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darius So.App.Mtns., United States(Zone 5b) Jun 11, 2004

I found that constant deadheading extended the flowering season quite a lot.

For some unknown reason, one of my bushes would often lose a branch. I'd just cut it off.

Post #905667
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Polymorphus Alamogordo, NM(Zone 7a) Jun 11, 2004

Thank you Darius, we will give your experiences a try!

Post #906058
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HERBIE43 Rutland , MA(Zone 5b) Jun 12, 2004

polymorphus - just got this from "fine gardening" magazine
butterfly bush
hardindess - listed as hardy in zones 5 to 9. butterfly bushes in northern areas may have their tops die back to the ground in winter.
exposure - for best flowering give bushes full sun, but they can handle some shade too.
soil - will thrive in fertile, well drained soil as well as in dry, poor soil.
maintenance - they are generally maintenance free. the require a few feedings a year of slow release fertilizer in the summer. timely removal of spent blooms will keep the shrub blooming and prevent its tendencyh to abundantly reseed.
pests - spider mites can be a problem but they can be conytrolled by an application of insecticidal soap.
a major pruning shold be done in early spring before new groth begins. cut your shrubs down to about 1 to 2 feet high to keep it from getting too leggy.

Post #907440
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MaryE Baker City, OR(Zone 5b) Jun 16, 2004

Maybe something is eating the roots of one and not the other?? Or maybe one was a strong plant and the other a weak one when you got them? Just guessing. Not everything lives no matter what we do.

Post #911609
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eweed Everson, WA(Zone 8a) Jun 16, 2004

You didn't get those bushes from gurnies did you?

Post #911713
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