How to Fertilize a Butterfly Bush

Buddleia alternifolia or buddleia davidii, also known as butterfly bushes, got their name for their butterfly, hummingbird and bee attracting flowers. These hardy small shrubs are light feeders, meaning they don't need much in the way of supplemental fertilization. A handful or two of compost or slow release fertilizer once a year in early to mid spring is all they need to thrive. Butterfly bushes growing in sandy or poor soils can benefit from an second dose of fertilizer in late summer. Over fertilization will cause your butterfly bush to stop flowering, so err on the side of less is more when fertilizing butterfly bushes.

Things You'll Need

• Rake
• Compost or slow-release rose fertilizer
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Rake mulch away from the base of the butterfly bush.

2. Sprinkle 1/2 to 1 cup of compost around the base of the shrub. Gently work the compost into the top 1 inch of soil. Or you can use a slow release commercial fertilizer formulated for roses. Apply at 1/2 strength.

3. Replace the mulch around your butterfly bush.

Tips & Warnings

• Butterfly bushes growing in amended beds or fertile soil do not need supplemental fertilization.

• Too much fertilizer will cause your butterfly bush to put forth excess new growth but no flowers.

References

• Botanica; Susan Page, Margaret Olds (ed); 2004
• Yardener; Growing and Caring for Butterfly Bush
• Iowa State University Extension; Growing Butterfly Bushes

Resources

• Nature Hills Nursery; Plant Catalog