My
neighbor told me that butterfly bushes bloom on "new wood". What does
that mean? Butterfly
bushes flower on the new branches or the "new wood" that will begin
growing later in the spring. It means the best time to prune shrubs that bloom
on new wood is now, including buddleia or butterfly bush.
When you do prune
butterfly bushes, it's best to cut them to the ground.
Butterfly bushes are
vigorous growers and will grow 5' to 6' tall and bloom in just a few months.
Hard pruning down to the ground will also keep the shrub from growing too large
and getting out of hand.
When you've finished pruning, add some 11-15-11
fertilizer and water it in well.
Your butterfly bush is now ready for a great
season, attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinators to your garden.
Many of the shrubs in our landscapes bloom on "old wood". Old wood
refers to last season's growth. These shrubs flower in spring and early summer
and soon after flowering, they begin to set the buds for next season's
blooms.th e time to prune ornamental shrubs that flower in spring and early
summer, is right after they bloom.
Forsythia, lilac, ninebark and weigela are common shrubs in the area
that need to be pruned after they bloom. You'll have about a month to prune these
spring and early summer flowering ornamentals. After you're done pruning, feed
your shrubs an 11-15-11 fertilizer. Pruning and feeding within a month of
blooming will help your shrubs set bud for next years flowering season.
It's interesting to learn about pruning butterfly bushes for optimal blooming. I recently read that to get the best results, you should focus on the "new wood" that grows in spring. Speaking of butterfly bushes, if you're interested in expanding your garden, here's a helpful guide on how to Propagate Butterfly Bush in Water. It's a straightforward process and ensures a healthy addition to your landscape.
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