How do I fertilize Buddleia Petite Blue Heaven?
Butterfly Bushes such as Buddleia Petite Blue Heaven grow best if they are fertilized once or twice in the summer. Although some authorities recommend special fertilizer mixes to get the maximum results, Buddleias do amazingly well with a more relaxed approach. Either chemical fertilizers or organic matter can be used successfully. Since an organic method of applying manure and/or compost around the roots, produces excellent results and also improves the condition of the soil, this would be an excellent first line of attack. Organic additions to the soil can also be combined with a shot of chemical fertilizer for maximum effect. Apply an early spring fertilizer with a product such as Espoma Tree-tone or Plant-tone at the recommended rate this will give the plant a boost of nitrogen that will be needed for healthy abundant foliage. Follow this up with a early summer application of Espoma Flower-tone, this will provide the necessary nutrients and raise the acid level in the soil which mahonia favor. Espoma products are easy to use, just sprinkle around the base of the plant and water it in. Be careful with products such as miracle-grow as these products can burn newly planted plants when not used at the recommended rates. Slow-release fertilizer can help prevent rapid sucker growth that is vulnerable to diseases and insects. Don't fertilize Buddleia Petite Blue Heaven after August. Fall is the time for Buddleias to begin preparing for dormancy. Fertilizing at this time may stimulate new growth that will be too tender to withstand the winter. In the South, a late May application and another in July would be about right. More northern areas may wish to fertilize only once in June or July. The amount of chemical fertilizer used per plant will vary with the size of the plant and it's root system. (Use less fertilizer for Buddleias in a container.) Over-fertilization can be much more detrimental than under-fertilization. "Fertilizer burn" can occur when too much fertilizer is applied, resulting in a drying out of the roots and damage or even death of the Buddleia. It is much, much better to err on the side of too little fertilizer than too much. When roots are burned, the first sign is often scorched looking leaves. If over-fertilization is severe, the plant may just wilt and die. If you are a beginner at growing plants Buddleia Petite Blue Heaven is very easy to grow however it may be helpful to know that a very small plant which is planted in the ground will take about 1/8 - 1/4 cup of fertilizer. When fertilizing Buddleias in pots, be careful to apply a fertilizer that will not burn the roots (such as a slow release or a liquid fertilizer). A very large shrub in the ground will take 2 - 3 cups spread around the drip line of the branches (not next to the trunk). This is a very loose estimate, so please read the directions on the fertilizer before applying it. If a liquid fertilizer is used for Buddleia Petite Blue Heaven, it should be applied every month for both plants in pots and in the ground. Never fertilize a plant with a chemical fertilizer if the plant looks sick or wilted. If a plant is struggling due to a disease or root problems, the fertilizer will only add stress to it's life. Try to cure the problem before adding fertilizer. For an organic approach, many gardeners use commercial manure on the soil around Butterfly Bushes such as Buddleia Petite Blue Heaven. Excellent results have been reported by visitors to this site after using composted manure. Commercial manure or compost can be applied yearly around the base of the buddleia. As with chemical fertilizers, do not apply it right next to the trunk or stems emerging from the ground.program. When looking at most fertilizers, they are described by three numbers on the bag. An example would be 10-10-10 or 12-4-8. The first of these three numbers refers to Nitrogen, which is the primary element necessary for good, balanced growth within the buddleia. Plants that are deficient in Nitrogen are usually not growing vigorously, and sometimes exhibit pale colored foliage. Not all Nitrogen deficiencies result in stunted growth. Sometimes, the growth is taller and longer with less than desirable branching when Nitrogen is deficient. The second number in the fertilizer equation is representative of Phosphorus. A deficiency of Phosphorus may affect the energy transfer in the plant, and result in stunted growth as well. Also, plants with insufficient amounts of Phosphorus may have poorer root systems. Potassium is the element represented by the third number on the fertilizer bag. Plants that are deficient in Potassium, are usually growing more slowly than normal, have fewer flowers and seed, and are more susceptible to disease than plants with adequate levels of Potassium. Although the three elements just mentioned are the major elements necessary for good plant performance, there some minor elements that are just as important in consideration of Buddleia nutrition. Minor elements that are not included in the three numbers listing on the front of fertilizer bags are very important considerations when choosing your Butterfly Bush fertilizer. Elements such as Magnesium, Sulfur, Calcium, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Boron, and Molybdenum play very important roles in providing Buddleias will adequate nutrition. Many times, less expensive fertilizers are sold that contain only the major elements needed, but not the minor elements. Always be sure to look on the fertilizer label on the back of the bag to see exactly what is included in the fertilizer. In choosing the basic type of fertilizer to suit your Buddleia Petite Blue Heaven, it is important to determine what you need your Butterfly Bushes to do. If your Buddleia Petite Blue Heaven plants are well established, and you are not concerned about more growth, choose a fertilizer that has a smaller first number, and a larger second and third number. When you have selected your fertilizer and are ready to apply it, be sure to rake your mulch back to the drip line of each plant. Apply the fertilizer according to the label directions immediately on top of the soil, and be sure to water the plant thoroughly after the application. You can then rake the mulch back around the base of the Buddleia Petite Blue Heaven. Although it is tempting to spend less time by not raking the mulch back during fertilization, the results will be less than desirable, if the fertilizer is applied on top of the mulch. Proper fertilization of your Buddleia Petite Blue Heaven will lead to healthier and more disease resistant plants, as well as provide you with many more enjoyable blooms. Always, read the label on your fertilizer bag, and follow the instructions.
How do I prune Buddleia Petite Blue Heaven Flowering Shrubs?
In general gardening terms, pruning is probably the most misunderstood gardening chore, and certainly, the chore that is most likely neglected. When we specifically look at pruning with regards to Buddleias, this misunderstanding and negligence can be magnified. Pruning has been described as a “combination of art and science.” I find pruning to be one of the most relaxing yet rewarding chores in the garden. Pruning a specific plant to look a specific way, involves art in creating a unique definition for a specific plant, and it involves science in understanding the physical growing habits of the plant to be pruned.
The most important reason for pruning Butterfly Bushes is to improve the overall health of the plant, which in turn will reward you with a plethora of blooms. Many times, Buddleias that have not been pruned in a few years will develop dead or degenerative twigs. Removing the dead and dying limbs will minimize the possibility of diseases such as “dieback” and will also allow the plant to re-concentrate its energies and produce flowers.
Another reason for pruning buddleias such as Buddleia Petite Blue Heaven is to re-define the plant’s definition within the landscape. Many times, a plant may outgrow its intended size in the landscape, and must be pruned to re-define its purpose. Pruning should always be associated with re-invigorating a plant by allowing it to focus its energies on producing more vigorous branches, foliage, and flowers.
Specific plant objectives require specific pruning techniques. If a Buddleia is being trained as a hedge, it would need to be pruned differently than if it were being grown as a tree form. Screenings and hedges of butterfly bushes would need to be pruned for their specific purpose within the landscape. It is also important to understand the specific growing characteristic of a certain Buddleias when pruning that particular plant. When pruning established Butterfly Bushes where no labeling is present on a variety to identify it, you need to look at the general growth patterns of the plant to be pruned. These observations should give you a good idea of how the plant tends to grow, and also how and when you should prune the plant.
When pruning large Buddleias, pruning can be a general shaping or shearing of the plants, or it can be a severe pruning that significantly reduces the size of the plant. Many times, gardeners inherit a wealth of Butterfly Bushes in their gardens when they purchase a previously owned residence. Although these buddleias may have been lovingly cared for by the previous owner, it may be necessary to severely prune these plants to restore vigor or to create a different definition in the landscape for the new owner of the property.
If severe pruning is necessary, it must be realized that the plant will shift its focus in the short-run from setting flower buds to growing vigorously, and it is very likely that the Buddleia Petite Blue Heaven will have few if any bloom buds during the season following the major pruning. During the second season following the severe pruning, the buddleia should resume normal bud setting, and the plant should have healthier blooms because of the increased vigor in the plant.
It is important to always use sharp tools when pruning Buddleias or any plant for that matter. Knives, hand cutters, saws, and shears should be sharpened if necessary before pruning any shrubs. A sharp cut will heal quicker than a jagged cut, which will also minimize the likelihood of disease infecting a cut during pruning. It is generally recommended to not use power equipment such as gas hedgers to prune Butterfly Bushes as this does more harm than good.
Pruning large Butterfly Bushes like an older Buddleia Petite Blue Heaven may be minor or major. Its general purpose is to maintain or restore vigor to the plant. Large Buddleias that have been severely pruned have the advantage of a large root system that has excessive capacity, and its roots are capable of supplying all of its energies to a smaller number of branches and foliage. This enables the plant to increase its vigor, and become healthier.
