Marianne's Response

Butterfly bush

why is mine dying? It has been very healthy for about 5 years and draws several Monarchs, but last summer some of the blossoms seemed wimpy, and when I cut the stems early this spring, they seemed brittle and dead. Now green leaves are growing but all at the base of the plant, no branches! I’d buy another but am afraid to plant it in the same spot since I don’t know what the problem is. In searching for a pic, I see that there was actually a problem in 2018 when the some of the blossoms were brown! I just added 2 pics from 2 different years but do not see that they are there!

Posted by bernice bowes on June 5, 2020

Marianne's Response

Do you live in a cold winter climate? The Buddleah or butterfly bush will die out from the top if a cold or wet spring damages the plant but the roots can survive so you get a fresh start. I suggest you cut back all the dead branches to ground level and just enjoy your newly emerging shrub. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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