History of the Butterfly Bush

• A beautiful butterfly feasting on the flowers of a butterfly bush.butterfly image by palms from Fotolia.com
  
  Named after its ability to attract butterflies, the butterfly bush is a perennial native to China. The bush was introduced to Great Britain in the 1890's. It is not known how the plant arrived in the U.S. Its botanical name is Buddleia davidii or Buddleja davidii. The fragrant plant typically thrives in climate zones 5 through 10 and generally comes in the colors of the rainbow. It can grow from 5 to 12 feet tall and displays a profusion of multiple, elongated tubular flowers that can grow to 20 inches in length. Flowering branches arch out from a woody base. Depending on the climate zone, the butterfly bush flowers throughout midsummer to late fall if given adequate care.
  
  

Causes of Yellowing

• Aphid eggs on a rose bud.bouton de rose image by asb from Fotolia.com
  
  Although the butterfly bush is considered fairly hardy, there are some conditions that can cause the plant to turn yellow and leaves to die off. Age may be one reason, but it may be impossible to determine, since there is no definitive lifespan for a butterfly bush. Over-watering will cause the plant to yellow, whether it occurs through a yard irrigation system or the plant sitting in a spot that is not well-drained and holds water. Fertilizing a plant that is dry can cause yellowing and wilting of the plant. Other known causes of yellowing are insects like aphids and spider mites.
  
  

Solutions to Yellowing

• Regularly water your butterfly bush.watering tools image by palms from Fotolia.com
  
  There is no fix for the age of the butterfly bush, except to buy a new plant. For over-watering, cut back the amount and frequency of your watering. If the environment that the plant sits in is wet, dig up the plant and dig up the area around it, then add elements that enable drainage. The other fix for over-watering is to move the plant to a section of your yard that drains well. Fertilize a plant only when it has been well-watered for the previous week. To address insect infestations, use an insect spray that can be purchased at most grocery stores or major hardware chains.
  
  

Prevention and Care

• New growth from a butterfly bush seed should spring up in under 90 days.new life image by Nikolay Okhitin from Fotolia.com
  
  Many situations that cause your butterfly bush to turn yellow are preventable with proper care. Plant new bushes preferably in full sun, though the bush will tolerate part sun. Put new plants in the ground in the spring or fall away from intense heat and cover with at least 2 inches of mulch. These plants tolerate virtually all soils, but make sure you have good drainage in the area in your yard where you plant your butterfly bush. Fertilize the plant in the spring and the fall. Annually mulch and trim back your butterfly bush to about 3 feet in late winter, or prune off all dead growth in the spring to encourage new and healthy growth. The butterfly bush is drought resistant, but water it regularly to keep it from yellowing. Deadhead flower bunches that die to promote longer season growth.
  
  

Considerations

• You may cut the flowers from the butterfly bush and use them in arrangements. They usually last over a week in a vase of water. New plants may be germinated from seeds. Plant the seeds in shallow soil right under the surface in full sun. It takes about 90 days for new plants to begin growing from seeds. A new plant can be generated from a cut limb of a butterfly bush. Trim the limb where new growth appears and place it in soil to root. It may take up to 100 days to see new growth. In addition to attracting butterflies, butterfly bushes attract hummingbirds.