Butterfly Bush Buddleja davidii 'Pixie Blue'

Water

Butterfly Bush or Buddleja davidii 'Pixie Blue' should be watered deeply to ensure moisture reaches the root zone, particularly during dry spells. In the growing season, water approximately once a week, providing about 1 gallon per watering for young plants and up to 2 gallons for more established shrubs, depending on soil type and climate. Always allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. During winter, reduce watering significantly, but don't let the plant dry out completely. Monitor soil moisture regularly and adjust watering accordingly.

Light

Butterfly Bush thrives in full sun conditions, receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot to plant Buddleja davidii 'Pixie Blue' is in a location where it can bask in unfiltered sunlight for most of the day. This will ensure optimal growth and an abundant display of blooms.

Temperature

For Butterfly Bush, the ideal temperature range is between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Buddleja davidii 'Pixie Blue' can survive minimum winter temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but it is less hardy in regions where the temperature drops significantly below this. During summer, the plant can handle high temperatures as long as it has sufficient water and is well-established.

Pruning

Pruning Butterfly Bush promotes healthy growth and abundant flowering. Buddleja davidii 'Pixie Blue' should be pruned in late winter or early spring, removing any dead or diseased wood and cutting back the remaining stems to about a foot from the ground. This hard pruning encourages new growth and larger flowers. Deadheading spent blooms throughout the season will also encourage additional flowering.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Butterfly Bush 'Pixie Blue' thrives in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. A mixture of loam, peat, and coarse sand or perlite can offer the right balance of drainage and nutrient retention. This plant prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH, typically between 6 and 7.

Repotting

Butterfly Bush 'Pixie Blue' generally requires repotting every 2 to 3 years, or when it becomes root-bound. It's best to repot in spring just before the growing season begins for minimal stress on the plant.

Humidity & Misting

Butterfly Bush 'Pixie Blue' is adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels but prefers moderate humidity. It does not have specific high-humidity requirements and can thrive in the typical outdoor humidity levels found in most temperate climates.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Ensure bright light, prune for size, well-draining soil.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun, prune to shape, ensure drainage.

• Hardiness zone

  5-9 USDA

Life cycle

Buddleja davidii 'Pixie Blue', commonly known as the Butterfly Bush, begins its life cycle as a seed, which requires well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight to germinate successfully. After germination, the seedling grows rapidly and enters the vegetative stage where it develops its characteristic lance-shaped leaves and bushy form. This perennial plant reaches the maturity stage in one to two years, where it starts to produce cone-shaped clusters of blue flowers, attracting numerous pollinators throughout the blooming season, which is primarily in the summer months. Once pollinated, the flowers will produce small capsules containing seeds, completing the reproductive stage of the cycle. As autumn approaches, growth slows and the plant may become dormant, especially in colder climates, reducing its metabolic activities to survive the winter. In the following spring, the Butterfly Bush resumes growth from the same root system, repeating its life cycle with fresh foliage and new blooms.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Propogation: The Butterfly Bush 'Pixie Blue', scientifically known as Buddleja davidii 'Pixie Blue', can be propagated effectively through semi-hardwood cuttings during the summer months when the plant is actively growing. The most popular method involves taking a cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long from a healthy, non-flowering stem. It's important to cut just below a node, where the concentration of growth hormones is higher. Strip the leaves from the lower half of the stem and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone. Then, the cutting should be planted in a well-draining soil mixture, maintaining high humidity and warmth to encourage root development. Typically, the cutting will root within a few weeks, after which it can be transplanted to a larger pot or directly into the garden.