dwarf buddleia in pots

Can buddleia be grown in pots?

B. x alternifolia 'Unique' is excellent in a pot for 2 years then much better in the garden. A minimum size 4L frost free clay pot with a loam based compost drainage at base of the pot. Winter protection: most Buddleja are root hardy in the ground, however in pots unprotected outside in the winter they will die.

How big does a dwarf butterfly bush get?

Height/Spread: Varies by cultivar; dwarf butterfly bushes can be as small as 18” tall and wide, while others can reach 7' tall by 5' wide.

Is there a dwarf Buddleia?

Buddleja 'Buzz'™ is the first Buddleja bred to be a dwarf variety. This dwarf buddleja is perfect for growing in patio pots and containers.

Can you keep a butterfly bush small?

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.

Can you keep buddleia small?

Varieties of Buddleja davidii can become very tatty if not properly pruned. ... If hard pruned in early spring, the most vigorous varieties will still grow to 3m tall and 2m across by summer, while the smaller forms, such as 'Nanho Blue', can be kept to less than 1.5m in height and spread. Prune in mild weather.

Why are butterfly bushes bad?

The shrub is actually considered to be invasive, meaning it competes with the native plants in the area and will continue to spread and be harmful to the local eco-system. ... Not only is butterfly bush harmful for the eco-system but it's also an ineffective host plant for butterflies despite the name.

Do butterfly bushes like sun or shade?

In the warmer states, butterfly bushes often grow to 10 or 12 ft. high, and require pruning to keep them shapely. They're happy in almost any soil and prefer moist ground, but will also do well in dryer spots. They need plenty of sun, but will be fine with some shade in the warmer areas.

Are butterfly bushes toxic to dogs?

Although butterfly bushes (Buddleja davidii) are not edible, they are no more toxic than any garden plant. They should be safe to plant where children, dogs, cats, and other animals live. In fact, butterfly bushes are deer resistant.

What can I plant next to Buddleia?

Buddleia davidii - or 'butterfly bush' - is great at attracting various insects to feed on its nectar.
...
What can I plant instead?

Berberis.
Heathers (good for butterflies)
Dogwood.
Hebes.
Lavender (good for butterflies)
Mahonia.
Currants (Rubus)
Thyme.

How fast do butterfly bushes grow?

The fast-growing butterfly bush reaches a mature height of 6 to 10 feet tall in one or two growing seasons. The cone or wand-shaped flower heads grow 5 to 12 inches long and bloom from summer through fall. The flowers bloom on arching branches.

Which Colour buddleia do butterflies prefer?

My own record is 84 newly emerged peacocks on one Buddleja davidii, quite a homecoming. Butterfly Conservation says that buddleia can attract 28 species, including silver-washed fritillary, dark green fritillary and chalk hill blue – making this shrub the best butterfly magnet of all.

Should you Deadhead buddleia?

Grow buddleia in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Deadhead flowers to encourage more to form and cut back hard in late spring to prevent the shrub from becoming too big.

How do you prepare a butterfly bush for winter?

To overwinter a butterfly bush in areas colder than zone 5, dig the shrub up from the ground in late summer or early fall and place it in a container with potting mix. Water it regularly during its transition to the pot and cut back on watering gradually until before the first frost.

Are buddleia fast growing?

The flowers of a buddleia appear in early summer through into autumn, and their fast growing speed makes them the perfect choice for those wanting a quick and easy injection of life and colour.

Do butterfly bushes do well in pots?

Yes! Butterfly bush will thrive in containers. Be sure to select a container that has several large drainage holes, and fill the container only with a fast-draining, light-weight potting mix.

Do butterfly bushes come back every year?

Butterfly bushes are perennial plants that die back to the ground every winter. They then send out new growth from the roots in the spring. You can prune them either in the late fall or in the early spring before the new growth starts.

Should I cut my butterfly bush to the ground?

There is really no wrong way to go about pruning butterfly bushes. The shrubs are very stable and can take a good deal of stress without any significant side effects. Butterfly bushes will generally flower of new wood, so cutting them to the ground in winter is often times necessary for the plants to bloom.

Are buddleia roots invasive?

Buddleja can be invasive, but generally isn't when its in a garden that gets looked after routinely. It doesn't really spread by its roots. It does however self seed quite easily if you don't keep an eye on it, and it can grow in some pretty harsh conditions.

Is a buddleia a tree or a bush?

Butterfly Bush, Buddleja is a thankful summer bloomer, which grows as a shrub or half shrub, rarely as a tree or vine.

What kills Buddleia?

If buddleia is growing within a wall, it can be killed off by treating the visible part of the plant, but the root will remain in situ within the structure.