Butterfly bushes, also known as summer bushes, enchant many gardens in a magnificent blooming paradise from July to October. The long panicles of flowers appear in a colorful sea of flowers ranging from white to light pink, red to lilac and dark violet. As the name suggests, the scent and nectar of the flowers attract many colorful butterflies. Buddlejas are extremely robust, easy to care for and fast-growing. The right time of planting and the planting technique largely determine the duration of the flowering period.
Planting butterfly bushes
The trade offers buddleia mainly as container goods. Widespread and very popular is Buddleja davidii, probably the best-known variety of summer lilac. It is very robust with an abundance of flowers and is also considered the original species of all Davidii hybrids.
planting time
In principle, this so-called container crop can be planted during the entire vegetation period, provided the soil is frost-free. However, it is preferable to plant butterfly bushes in the spring after the ice saints, from May 15th. Late frosts are usually no longer to be expected at this time, since butterfly bushes, especially young plants, are sensitive to frost. The shrubs then have enough time until winter to grow well at the new location and develop a good and healthy root system accordingly.
Of course, a new planting is still possible in early autumn. At this point, the earth is still well warmed down to the depths, which has a positive effect on the rooting of the plants. Planting should then take place from September to mid-October. The process is then completed before the onset of winter, even if the weather is good, so that the buddleia can survive the winter without major damage. However, it is advisable to provide newly planted shrubs with winter protection. The frost hardiness of Buddleja only increases over the years.
Replanting in midsummer should be avoided. Because of the weather it can get quite dry. Of course, regular watering can help here. Nevertheless, the time and the conditions for root formation are not exactly optimal.
notice: The Buddleia is an invasive neophyte. It spreads very quickly through seeds, crowding out other plants. Faded panicles should therefore be constantly cut off.
preparation
Not only the planting time is responsible for good growth and a rich abundance of flowers, but before each planting some preparations must be made, whether spring or autumn:
- right choice of location
- warm, sheltered from the wind, sunny to partially shaded place
- moderately dry, nutrient-rich, humus-rich, loose soil
- slightly acidic to alkaline pH
Furthermore, the soil and the shrub must be carefully prepared, no matter what time of planting:
- Thoroughly soak the root ball in water
- sufficient if no more bubbles rise
- Dig a planting pit twice as big and deep as the root ball
- Loosen the soil properly in the pit
- If necessary, add a drainage layer of gravel or sand
- Mix the excavated soil with compost and horn shavings
- Do not plant deeper than before
- Fill in the soil and tamp down
- pour copiously
- for new plantings at least 20 liters of water
winter protection
Adequate winter protection is particularly important when planting in autumn. However, this is not entirely true, because in principle all young hummingbirds need protection in winter for the first two to three years. They are still very sensitive to frost. They only become hardy when they get older. The root area requires special protection. It is simply covered with a thick layer of leaves or straw. In addition, spruce sticks can be placed on top. If necessary, there is the possibility to stretch a fleece over the above-ground parts of the plant.
Plant butterfly bushes in pots
There are also various dwarf varieties with a height of up to 150 centimeters. These are particularly suitable for pot planting. The growth is more compact with dense branches. With good care, these shrubs can remain in the pot for many years. There is no planting distance to consider here, but the pot size and the planting itself is crucial:
- Pot diameter at least 70 to 80 cm
- Bucket height 60 to 70 cm
- Bring in a drainage layer, then special potting soil
- regular watering after planting
- Overwinter in a frost-free room below 10 °C
- alternatively protect the pot with fleece
Buddleia is a special eye-catcher as a solitary plant in a lawn. When planting, there is no significant planting distance to be observed here, as it stands alone. The situation is different with group plantings or planting in perennial beds. Depending on the variety, a distance of 100 to 150 centimeters from other plants should be maintained.
tip: In order to curb the lilacs' urge to spread, it is advisable to use a non-rotting root barrier in the planting pit. Alternatively, a large mason's vat without a bottom can also be used.
planting distance
Buddleia has a fairly expansive growth. Depending on the variety, the plant can reach a height of up to 400 centimeters. The width of the bushes is also very impressive at 250 centimetres. The growth per year varies between 30 and 150 centimeters. The colorful panicles alone reach a length of 30 centimeters. Here you can already see that Buddleja needs a correspondingly large space in the garden.
Planting distance for hedge planting
The variety Buddleja davidii is particularly suitable for a fragrant hedge as a privacy screen. The summer lilac plants can reach a height of between three and four meters. Planting should take place in the spring when the ground is frost-free and no more frosts are to be expected. In wine-growing areas, the butterfly bush can also be planted in autumn. For an extremely opaque hedge, it is advisable to plant Buddleja davidii in two rows offset to each other. However, sufficient space is required to maintain appropriate planting distances, so that a good development of the plants is guaranteed.
- in the first row distance between plants 70 cm
- Distance between the first and second row: 90 to 100 cm
- Always place shrubs in gaps
- Planting distance within the second row 70 cm
Of course, such a hedge should create protection from the prying eyes of the neighbors. But beware! When planting, it is essential to keep a distance to the property line. Otherwise disputes can quickly arise. Planting distances vary greatly from state to state. A regulation of the boundary distances when planting hedges, shrubs and trees is regulated in the respective neighborhood law. City and municipal administrations provide information.
tip: If there are no precise specifications, there is a rule of thumb: for trees, bushes and hedges up to a height of 2 m, a limit distance of at least 50 cm applies, for taller plants at least 1 m.