Butterfly bush question

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
lotsofkids Steubenville, OH Jun 05, 2009

Hi...I just planted two royal red butterfly bushes about three days ago. They are about 6 or 7 inches high, and I noticed that they are already developing one or two flowers each. Should I pull these flowers off (as sad as that would be) to let them develop more, or can I let them go? Thanks for the advice!

Post #6647675
Quote
edgeoftheworld Conneaut, OH(Zone 5a) Jun 06, 2009

Let them go.They are almost like a weed.They are tough as nails.They are one of the last things to come back after winter.Next year you will think they are dead.Trust me,they are not.Edge

Post #6650632
Quote
mocatmom Driftwood, TX(Zone 8b) Jun 07, 2009

Agreed - let them go. These are very rugged shrubs and don't need any babying.

Post #6654022
Quote
Jaywhacker Kerrville, TX Jun 09, 2009

Agreed.........the first year I grew a butterfly bush, I was amazed at how agressive it was. Mine shattered the nursery pot it was growing in, rammed its roots down thruough the weed cloth it was sitting on and was close to 4 foot tall at the end of the season. I swear it growled at me when I walked by. Be careful, dont turn your back on that thing!

Post #6664106
Quote
Clemen Nassau County, NY(Zone 7a) Jun 10, 2009

BF bushes are one of my favorites...NOOOOOOOOOoo do not cut those flowers...let them bloom then you cut and more branches and flowers will come out of your cuttings....The more you cut, the more branches and flowers you will get....

I happened to have so many of those bushes...and like someone said here..they are like weeds and i agree but...they are beautiful!!!!

Thumbnail by Clemen
Post #6666329
Quote
lotsofkids Steubenville, OH Jul 08, 2009

Thanks for all your advice...My bushes do not seem to be growing as aggressively as everyone's on here. They have grown some, but the flowers they are putting out are literally about 1/4 inch long. Do you think there is something wrong here?

Post #6791355
Quote
ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jul 08, 2009

Most things won't explode with growth and lots of flowers their first year in the ground--they need time to get established first. Butterfly bushes may get going faster than some other things, but since you just planted them a month ago I am not surprised that they still haven't grown much or that they have smaller flowers than they normally would. But 1/4 inch flower spikes sound very small even for a new plant, so I wonder if maybe your plants were mislabeled and are something else other than butterfly bush? If you can post a pic someone can tell you for sure.

Post #6791677
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP