Growing Tips: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming. The long, tapering leaves are an attractive soft-green color and the flowers are carried at the ends of the branches. Miss Molly Butterfly Bush Spacing. Well-draining soil is another must-have. Yes, they should! Their leaves are different colors and are spaced differently. Learn the basic tenets of landscape design, plus popular techniques and … Butterfly Bush Transplant Pruning. (Deer, however, leave this plant alone.) The plant has a compact branching form and an average growth of between 4 to 5 feet. Fast growing drought tolerant flowering shrub is sure to entice butterflies and hummingbirds while transforming your late summer garden with stylish luster. Spring Pruning. 3. Trim or cut off dead branches and leaves anytime throughout the year. Prune Miss Molly Butterfly Bush in late winter to the ground. Pruning is best done before new growth starts in the spring. Avoid mulching directly around your butterfly bush. Bright purple/red tones on this shrub will be more pronounced in the South; slightly deeper tones in the north. The Perfect Addition to Pollinator Gardens Why Miss Molly Butterfly Bushes? If you have a buddleia davidii, which has dark purple flowers, prune it back 6 to 12 inches in early spring or late fall. Pruning large Butterfly Bushes like an older Miss Molly Butterfly Bush may be minor or major. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 The Miss Molly Butterfly Bush is more compact than older forms, growing no more than 5 feet tall, and it has much denser branching too, producing more flowers in a smaller space. Tall but Not Gangly Miss Molly Butterfly Bush is tall enough for you to enjoy masses of flowers at eye level, but not so tall that it become thin and twiggy. Beautiful, colorful, and unique array of shrubs, trees, and plants, We grow and deliver the highest quality products directly to your door, Order online or over the phone with no waiting and no hassles. this year, as I plan on planting more bushes. To prune a butterfly bush, start by identifying what kind of butterfly bush you have. The richly colored ruby reddish-pink flowers are not only dazzling to the eyes, but these blossoms are also intoxicatingly fragrant. Regarding your butterfly bush (Buddlia), you are safe to prune it at either time as long as it is late winter moving into early spring. Like other buddleia cultivars in the "Miss" series, Miss Molly Butterfly Bush is not invasive like some older varieties -- she minds her manners! Is there a cure for a tomato plant fungus I have in my garden? Cut Flowers for your Home The blooms from Miss Molly Butterfly Bush are exquisite, long-lasting cut flowers for your home. In early spring, apply a fertilizer for flowering plants. Clip spent flowers to promote continued bloom. Get the proven playbook to heal a broken heart. Approved. If your butterfly bush is in the back of a garden up against a fence and you want it to grow tall, cut it back to about two feet so that the plant will produce higher growing (and thus flowering) stems. Miss Molly Butterfly Bush (Buddleia x 'Miss Molly') is a botanical feast for the senses. Pruning Mills Molly Butterfly bush should be done in early spring. Cut Flowers for your Home One of the best red blooming butterfly bush on the market. By removing, or deadheading, blooms soon after they have faded, you can stimulate the growth of … Water deeply, regularly during first growing season to establish extensive root system; reduce frequency once established. PRUNING BUTTERFLY BUSH When to prune butterfly bush: In mild climates, prune larger varieties in late fall or early spring to clean up and maintain shape. Uses The medium size and refined habit of 'Miss Molly' makes it well suited to mixed borders and perennial gardens, as well as butterfly and humminbird gardens. 3. This judicious pruning will stimulate lavish new growth and an abundance of flowers. These fragrant almost-red flowers brighten any garden from early summer until fall. They have different growth habits, maintenance requirements and aesthetics. Hurry, Sale Ends Monday, December 7th at Midnight! Although Miss Molly isn't invasive, some areas regulate the sale of Buddleia. Miss Molly Butterfly Bush General Information. Pruning Prune only after new growth emerges in spring. 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Thank, "I did not know that I had 2 types of butterfly bushes until I read this. "Thanks! This will help me to get my buddleias tall, so I can save the butterflies that love it from my cat. If you’re unsure of the type of shrub you have, your best bet is to not trim more than a third of its total size. What is the difference between a Buddleia davidii and the Buddleia alternifolia butterfly bush? A Butterfly Bush is an invasive species in parts of the country, so make sure to burn trimming and branches or dispose of them in garbage bags. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Flower spikes form on new wood, so watch for new growth if pruning in spring. Clip spent flowers to promote continued bloom. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Butterfly Bush. Miss Molly buddleia is a supermodel when it comes to butterfly bushes. You can check if it's an invasive species in your state by visiting. Butterfly bushes are late to break dormancy, meaning that you don’t need to check for any winter damage as the plant may still just be dormant. Prune back in late winter/early spring for an abundance of flowers. Because they do often dieback in the winter, this type of butterfly bush can handle intense pruning--and often requires it. Miss Molly loves the sun and heat, is non-invasive, and deer resistant. Press soil down firmly with your hand. Fragrant flowers are abundant and attract both butterflies and hummingbirds. ", "I received a butterfly bush last April when my mother-in-law passed. Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), the most common variety, blooms on new wood and gets its main pruning in late winter or early spring, when new buds emerge in warmer climates. However, to keep these bushes blooming beautifully, you will need to know how to prune them properly. Harvest the seeds and scatter in your desired location.You can also leave the browning poppies alone until next spring and the seeds will disperse over the winter. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. In cold climates, treat as perennials, cutting back close to the ground in late winter or early spring. If you want to keep the butterfly bush looking its best, including newly transplanted bushes, a simple trimming may be just what the doctor ordered. Buddleia alternifolia (Alternate leaf butterfly bush) is a deciduous shrub with light purple flowers in the spring. Its general purpose is to maintain or restore vigor to the plant. Prune only once each year, in spring when the new growth begins. Thoroughly water and apply a light mulch layer on top of the soil (1-2 inches) to conserve water and reduce weeds. Order fresh online for fast delivery! The warmer the temperatures, the redder the blooms. In climates with cold winters, the plant will most likely die back completely. Mulch is a great idea for other species of plants, but in clay soil, it can hold too much moisture. Pruning Butterfly Bushes Like many other flowering shrubs, the butterfly bush must be pruned at the right time of the year to control it's shape and to encourage the most blooms. The foliage is dense and tidy, which gives Miss Molly a compact look even though it's a 4- to 5-foot tall shrub. Scroll down to Step 1 to learn how you can properly prune your Butterfly Bush. As the name might suggest, butterflies absolutely love Butterfly Bush for its showy, fragrant, nectar-rich flowers--and so will you! Hopefully, there will still be some of the plant left to regrow. For more tips from our Horticultural reviewer, including how to look for diebacks on your butterfly bush, keep reading! To rejuvenate shrubs and promote lush flowers, cut it knee-high and you'll be amazed how fast it re-grows and begins blooming for you! Blooms summer through fall. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Out of the lot, Miss Molly is by far the top performer. This article has been viewed 68,798 times. Use the plant tag as a location marker. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. 2. If you have a buddleia davidii, which has dark purple flowers, prune it back 6 to 12 inches in early spring or late fall. Blooms from summer through fall creating multi-season interest. Once your order is shipped, you'll receive an email with a tracking number. NOTE: Butterfly bush is considered an invasive plant in many regions. To rejuvenate shrubs and promote lush flowers, cut it knee-high and you'll be amazed how fast it re-grows and begins blooming for you! By using our site, you agree to our. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. It will grow again from the crown in spring. How do I know if my butterfly plant is dead? This will help, "Other sites were a bit confusing on the when and how to prune a butterfly bush. Copyright © 2005-2020 BrighterBlooms.com | 2621 Old Nation Rd Fort Mill, SC 29715 | NOT OPEN TO PUBLIC. An attractive plant with silvery-gray foliage and compact branching. The flowers of this tall bush make a gorgeous addition to any garden. Call 877-345-0146 for Availability and Pricing. The blooms are not the only attribute of the Miss Molly butterfly bush. This site was clear and the, "I love my butterfly bush. Left unpruned, large butterfly bushes can become “second story” plants: their flowers from way up at the top so you can’t enjoy them unless you have a … Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Although butterfly bushes tolerate severe pruning to maintain a smaller size, you can reduce the time you’ll spend pruning by planting it in a location with plenty of room for the plant to develop its natural size and shape. Elsewhere, prune in late fall or early spring. First, they are closely related but not the same exact plant.These plants are two different species. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil. Elsewhere, prune in late fall or early spring. This article has been viewed 68,798 times. Landscaping Basics Designing a beautiful landscape doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Cut back to just above a set of large, healthy buds. Cut the stems below the flower clusters as long as your vase is tall, and strip the lower leaves that would otherwise be under water. It will also keep some of the larger varieties at a manageable size, particularly in smaller yards, corners, or other confined spaces. Go ahead and mulch your beds, but give your butterfly bush a bit of clearance, and never mulch all the way up to the main stems. You don’t have to prune your butterfly bushes every year, but its common practice to cut butterfly bushes very low each winter to encourage lots of new flowers next spring on the new growth. Pruning: Prune in spring, after the new growth emerges. Davidii grows up to 8’ and has dark purple flowers. This article has helped. From July until frost this perennial shrub adds exciting color to your landscape. The climbing and standard bare root roses took far more effort, time, cost, and are all dead. This butterfly bush is more compact than other varieties and has a mounded habit. Even if your butterfly bush doesn’t dieback during winter, prune 6”-12” above the ground in late winter to ensure proper growth the following spring. Buddleia Miss Molly - Common name:Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac - Good golly! I was afraid that it wound not come back for the summer. Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately, however we are currently experiencing delays and could take up to 11-14 days from date of purchase. Alternatively, if you have a buddleia alternifolia, which has light purple flowers, prune it in mid to late summer to about ⅓ its size. Full sun is the key to healthy growth and a profusion of flowers -- at least 6 hours each day and more if possible. The reason being, the stems are hollow and any water that accumulates in the stem and subsequently freezes will cause the wood to split. Reaching 5 feet high and 5 to 6 feet wide, Miss Molly grows like crazy, and needs very little attention to continue flowering beautifully year after year. This happens during summer after your poppies are done blooming. Depends on what type of bush it is, but a general rule when a shrub was neglected is to not harshly prune it, but to do it gradually over several seasons. Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com. In this case, 96% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Alternatively, if you have a buddleia alternifolia, which has light purple flowers, prune it in mid to late summer to about ⅓ its size. ", http://www.almanac.com/plant/butterfly-bush, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, Buddleia davidii is a deciduous shrub with dark purple flowers that blooms June through September. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Growing Miss Molly Butterfly Bushes. Prune in … You will then be able to plant lower growing plants near the butterfly bush while still being able to see the flowers of the butterfly bush. In fact, butterfly bushes grow quickly and respond well to pruning. Minimal Care for Optimal Enjoyment Miss Molly Butterfly Bush is easy as 1-2-3 to care for, following these guidelines: 1. Feed in spring.Pruning time: blooms on new wood; prune in early spring. There are several differences between the Buddleia davidii and the Buddleia alternifolia. They attract flocks of butterflies and hummingbirds. Likes a well-drained soil. The warmer your climate, the more you should cut back your butterfly bush each spring. Miss Molly Butterfly Bush sports fragrant, bottle-brush shaped, rich reddish-pink color blooms. A glowing magenta Butterfly Bush. Well-draining soil is another must-have. What’s the cause? ", "I learned that there are 2 types of butterfly bushes.". Follow the shape of the shrub when pruning. Although winter is still a few months away, we were ready to cut this bush back. You will know when the seeds are ready because the flowers will be gone, the foliage will start to turn brown and crisp, and the seeds will rattle around inside the seed head when moved. Blooms are especially attractive to hummingbirds. Avoid pruning though in early winter . One shrub planted as a single specimen is a real attention-grabber in any sunny garden spot, but several shrubs massed together puts the "good golly" in "Miss Molly!" May die to the ground in colder zones, regrowing from the roots in spring. Butterfly Bush – Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing. 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