Butterfly Bush [inspired by goofy4tink's thread]

[Nuts4Disney]

Just passing thru & was inspired by Goofy4Tink's thread...& Oleana's great photo! ;)

I'm a REAL NOVICE at gardening, still battling the squirrels & chipmunks for my bulbs :rolleyes: ...Anyway, just saw my 1st butterfly bush this summer...it was great...butterflies & hummingbirds :)...I was wondering if anyone knows:

1. How large they grow?
2. Do they have a Sun, Part Sun, or Shade preference?
3. Any special treatments or tips for growing them?

BTW, I'm in So./Central NJ.

Thanks! :sunny:

[olena]

Welcome to the F&G Board...:D

Hope these answers are helpful to you.

1) Butterfly bushes will grow as much as you let them. As you saw in the photo in the other thread, you can prune the growth and shape the plant like a tree. Going this route can let the bush get very tall. Mine is at least 8'. But it is really up to you. You can cut it back every year and it will just grow back in bush form. Here are two photos of the same plant. At first, I let it grow and attain height and fullness. Then I began cutting the branches from the middle down. Now it is tall and shaped like a tree.

Before
http://www.boomerweb.net/users/garden/olena/DSC01893.JPG

After (on the left)
http://www.boomerweb.net/users/garden/olena/DSC03762.JPG

2) They will grow in partial sun, but they do much better in full sun.

3) Give them room, since they will get full. They can be pruned to keep a desired shape or size. After blooms have finished, cut them off and more will grow. My bb's bloom from June through early Fall.

Happy Planting...:D

[Nuts4Disney]

WOW!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!

Thanks for the welcome & quick response along w/the photos!

Looks like a really good idea for us. :) We bought our house 4 yrs ago. It has a nice, very sunny backyard w/ mainly just grass. We have shrubs & ivy on only 1 side of the yard & a few little bushes around the perimeter. Basically, the people before us weren't gardeners either...but the good news is we have a good amount of space to work with. Like a lot of homeowners, we're trying to play catch up...a little outside, a little inside...wish we knew how to grow the money tree. ;) LOL


Thanks again for the help! :)

[Snowwark]

It's great to have you here on the F&G with us, Nuts4Disney! :) I love your enthusiasm! Can you bottle some of it and send it to me? ;) :)

Aren't Olena's BB's beautiful? Sounds like you have room for a couple of them in your backyard. :) When you get that money tree going, let me in on your secret, I need one too! ;) :)

Kim

[olena]

Great! Butterfly bushes come in different colors. I have lavender and dark purple, but there is also white and pink. I think there are other colors, but you may have to special order them.

[Nuts4Disney]

Originally posted by Snowwark
It's great to have you here on the F&G with us, Nuts4Disney! :) I love your enthusiasm! Can you bottle some of it and send it to me? ;) :)

Aren't Olena's BB's beautiful? Sounds like you have room for a couple of them in your backyard. :) When you get that money tree going, let me in on your secret, I need one too! ;) :)

Kim


Thanks for the warm welcome! :)

This is such a gentler crowd than the Debate bd [though I don't go there much] & even the Resorts board lately. Ahhhhh!

As for bottling enthusiasm & growing money trees...if I figure out how I'll be selling them up on ebay...but free samples to you & the other *buds.* ;)

[Snowwark]

Originally posted by Nuts4Disney
Thanks for the warm welcome! :)

This is such a gentler crowd than the Debate bd [though I don't go there much] & even the Resorts board lately. Ahhhhh!

As for bottling enthusiasm & growing money trees...if I figure out how I'll be selling them up on ebay...but free samples to you & the other *buds.* ;)

Thank you for your kind words, Bud! :)

I'll be checking my mail for those samples...LOL!!! :teeth:

[olena]

LOL! The Debate Board is just a gathering place for sore-tailed cats....generally speaking...:D

This is my little DIS escape for serenity and sharing love of natural beauty...:D

[Nuts4Disney]

You guys are too funny! You really brighten my day! :sunny: