Butterfly Bush Buddleja Sugar Plum = 'Lonplum' (PBR)

Water

The Butterfly Bush, also known as Buddleja 'Sugar Plum', should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Typically, this might mean watering once a week, but the frequency can vary depending on climate conditions and soil type. During particularly hot or dry weather, it may require more frequent watering. Provide enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of about 8 inches—using about 1-2 gallons for a mature plant depending on size and weather conditions. In winter, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering frequency, but do not let the soil completely dry out.

Light

Butterfly Bush thrives in full sun conditions and should be placed in a spot where it can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. This plant will perform best and produce the most flowers when it has ample sunlight. Partial shade is tolerable, but flowering may be reduced, and the plant may become leggy as it stretches towards the light source.

Temperature

Butterfly Bushes, including the Buddleja 'Sugar Plum', are hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures, but they perform best when the temperature is between 60°F and 90°F. They can usually survive temperatures down to around 20°F, although colder temperatures may cause the plant to die back to the ground. The plants will emerge again in spring if the roots are well-protected.

Pruning

Prune the Butterfly Bush in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. This plant benefits from annual pruning to maintain its shape and encourage more blooms. Pruning should involve cutting back the previous year's growth to about a foot from the ground. This hard prune will help prevent the plant from becoming woody and promote lush new growth with abundant flowers. Deadheading, or the removal of spent flowers, can be done throughout the blooming season to encourage further blooming.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Butterfly Bush (Buddleja Sugar Plum) thrives in well-drained soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure. A soil pH range of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal. For container planting, use a loam-based potting mix with added perlite or grit for improved drainage.

Repotting

Butterfly Bush does not require frequent repotting and can be done every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current pot. It's best repotted in spring before new growth begins.

Humidity & Misting

Butterfly Bush is adaptable to a wide range of humidity conditions and prefers outdoor environments where natural humidity is present. It does not require any specific humidity adjustments when grown outdoors.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in a sunny spot, ensure good airflow.

• Outdoor

  Full sun, protect from strong winds.

• Hardiness zone

  5-9 USDA

Life cycle

Buddleja 'Sugar Plum', also known as Butterfly Bush, begins its life cycle when seeds germinate in the spring, requiring well-drained soil and full sun exposure. Seedlings grow rapidly, and the plant will typically reach maturity in 2-3 years, during which it develops a woody base and branches. Throughout spring and summer, it produces cone-shaped clusters of pinkish-purple flowers that attract pollinators like butterflies and bees. After pollination, the flowers give way to small capsules containing seeds, which are dispersed by wind, allowing the cycle to continue. In the fall, the plant begins to enter dormancy, with leaves and spent flower heads falling away. In areas with freezing temperatures, some or all above-ground parts may die back, but the plant will typically re-emerge from its root system in the following spring.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-early summer

• Buddleja, commonly known as butterfly bush, is often propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. The most popular time to take these cuttings is in late summer when the plant has finished most of its growth for the season. To propagate the Butterfly Bush 'Sugar Plum', a gardener would cut a healthy piece of stem about 4 to 6 inches long (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) with several leaf nodes. This cutting should be taken from semi-hardwood, which is mature wood from the current season's growth that has begun to harden but still retains some flexibility. Leaves on the lower half of the cutting are removed, and the cut end is often dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. It's then placed in a well-draining potting mix, with the remaining leaves above the soil surface. The cuttings should be kept moist and in a warm environment with indirect sunlight to root successfully, which can take several weeks.