Marianne's Response

Bringing a dwarf butterfly bush back to life

I planted a dwarf butterfly bush last year as a memorial for a good friend. It didn’t do well this winter… hardly any greenery, and now its leaves are brown. Nothing grew from old wood, even though it had been cut back. Tried slow release fertilizer which didn’t seem to help. Gardener where it was bought said a lot of these were lost because of a severe winter. I was given another, which I’ll probably plant next to it in hopes it will come back in the spring. But because my friend’s whole family was involved in planting this with pictures and all, really hoping for a miracle.

Posted by Lois Neilson on September 14, 2014

Marianne's Response

First, my sympathy at the loss of your dear friend. A memorial plant is always worthy of a second chance, so don't give up yet. Buddleah or butterfly bush is one tough shrub, and if you water well this fall and do not prune for at least a few years you may see your butterfly bush experience a new life. This shrub likes at least a half day of sun and good drainage, and it does not need much fertilizer. No pruning and no feeding in the spring and see what happens next summer. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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