Butterfly Bush Hedge Hazard?

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Green_Numb Apr 08, 2009

hey folks, got a quick question on an idea i have...

i was wondering if i planted a bunch of black knight butterfly bushes in a row about 5 feet apart in a 50ft stretch would it be a hazard since they attract bee's as well as butterflies?

i want to plant a lot of these bushes around my yard on both sides and since i have 2 young kids was wondering if it would be a bad idea because of swarms of bee's coming in?

any advice would be great, thanks!

GN

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Smokey_SC Piedmont, SC(Zone 7b) Apr 08, 2009

The ones we had at our church didn't seem to attrack that many bees. I cut them back several times and didn't have any problem.

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NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a) Apr 08, 2009

Mine don't attract bees either--just lot's of butterflies. I have too many other flowers that the bees are more interested in.

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Apr 08, 2009

I agree, I haven't seen too many bees on mine either, there are lots of other plants that they like more. In terms of using it as a hedge though--what zone are you in? In colder zones they typically die back every winter and you cut them back in spring and they resprout from the base, so if you're looking for something to provide privacy, you'll have a good chunk of each year where they're not really doing their job. If you're in a warmer zone then they don't die back.

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Green_Numb Apr 08, 2009

thanks for the replies!

i was worried because i have seen some bee's on the one i have already but didnt really count them or anything. I like bee's and grow a vegetable garden so i dont mind them i just dont want swarms of bee's if i grow a lot of butterfly bushes.

I dont mind about the privacy thing but although i do cut the existing butterfly bush back that i have it doesnt die down in the winter.

havnt made up my mind on whether im gonna plant the hedge or not, i wonder if it will look messy? I know they say that if u cut it back it can improve its shape year after year...

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Apr 09, 2009

They're never going to give you that formal hedge look, but if you've got a more informal style garden then I think they'd look fine.

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NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a) Apr 09, 2009

Plus you'll probably have the majority of the neighborhood butterflies at your house :-}

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