One way to attract lots of butterflies and pollinating bees is to plant a Butterfly Bush which will act as a magnet for all the butterflies who pass through your garden seeking nectar. Many butterfly gardeners plan their garden around Buddleia (pronounced BUD-lee-ah), a genus that includes over 100 species and cultivars.
You'll be happier with your Butterfly Bush if you accept its growth habit, which is not neat and tidy. Its narrow branches support lilac-like clusters of blossoms a foot or two in length, with side branches and blossoms. Some species can droop all over your flower bed so you'll want to allow at least four feet between bushes to keep some semblance of neatness.
Butterflies and bees will flock to the honey-scented blossoms, whose dilute nectar is sweetest in midday sun. Near a path or patio, the shrub provides delightful fragrance for you, too.
The Butterfly Bush grows well in Northern California and is generally pest-free, except for spider mite infestations during drought or stress. It performs adequately in spare soil but prefers a sunny spot with well-drained soil, a light application of fertilizer in spring, and a few deep waterings in summer.
No comments:
Post a Comment