colorful thyme ground cover plants in birmingham al

davidii, which was brought into England's Kew Gardens in the 1880's, and is the parent of all the well-known butterfly bushes. Most are from China, but some have been imported from South America as well. The genus Buddleia (or Buddleja to be correct) is a group of several wild species that are cultivated and hybridized for the plants we enjoy. The effect was definitely one handsome bush with blooms in all three colors, but it was simply three different bushes planted very close together. But once the 'bush' was up and blooming with all the colors, if you looked closely near the ground, you'd see three little trunks, not just one. It all worked well, since butterfly bushes grow so easily and quickly, it really did look like one leafy bush as it grew. Well, what they got was really three small seedlings of three different plants grouped into one pot-one white, one blue and one pink. And hundreds of thousands of gardeners bought. During the 1990's a very well know perennial nursery, which shall remain nameless, began selling 'a butterfly bush with three colors on the same plant.' The offer was such a successful bonanza for them, they repeated it over and over in ad after ad. If you've ever heard about this magical butterfly bush, I think I know why. A butterfly bush with pink, blue and white flowers on the same plant? Hmmm. That's 'White Profusion' with it's very heavy flower heads shown on the right. Some botanists think the basic white butterfly bush has the most potent lure for insects. It is one of the first with bi-colored blooms, often developing long clusters that range from bluish to raspberry to bright orange as you look from the tip to the base of the flower spike. Buddleia 'Bicolor' created a sensation when it burst on the scene. You'll find pink, white, blue, and some very beautiful new bi-colors. A well-grown specimen can be a magnificent 'fountain' of flowers, since the stems with heavy flower clusters tend to arch in all directions. All this tells you that this plant is a tough one, and should be easy to grow in your garden. They need plenty of sun, but will be fine with some shade in the warmer areas.

They're happy in almost any soil and prefer moist ground, but will also do well in dryer spots. high, and require pruning to keep them shapely. In the warmer states, butterfly bushes often grow to 10 or 12 ft. In the colder zones, they die to the ground each year like a perennial plants, but in more southern regions, they are somewhat evergreen. Water well after planting, and continue to water at least every two weeks, depending on rainfall.īutterfly bushes are popular and hardy from Zone 5 south to Zone 9.Squeeze the pot a little and the roots and soil will slide out for you. When you remove the plant from the pot, do not pull on the leaves or stems.Plant your butterfly bushes about 4-6' apart, depending on the variety.As you set out your potted butterfly bushes, dig to loosen the soil around and below the actual spot, and then set the rooted plant at the same level if was growing in the pot.If not, keep your butterfly bushes where they get some sun through a window, and keep them moist, not soggy. Plant as soon as you can. If your weather cooperates (above freezing), begin planting as soon as possible.The roots in the pot are healthy and ready to grow in your garden. If you see no leaves, don't worry this is normal. Open the box immediately, protect from cold, and water each potted plant. Some of your butterfly bush plants may have new green growth and some may not.So it’s more than a name it’s actually a botanical phenomenon. Buddleias attract other insects too, like moths, and the reddish ones strongly attract hummingbirds.

Buddleias emit a special honey-scented fragrance that lures butterflies like a moth to a light, and then once there, they find the flowers super-rich in nectar.Ī butterfly bush in the garden will often be seen with a mass of butterflies on the flowers, especially during hot sunny afternoons. Here's why: It’s not just the pretty flowers that attract the butterflies, like any bright flower. This plant is easy to grow, blooms profusely, and has that magical quality: Butterflies can’t resist it.

The Magic: How the Butterfly Bush works: Buddleia or Butterfly Bush has been a sensation in American gardens for years, and no wonder. But the name tells you all about it: Butterflies just can’t resist the flowers, and flock to the plants when they're in bloom. Many gardeners plant several butterfly bushes together, so they grow into a shrub-like clump with blooms in all the colors-purple, pink and white.īutterfly Bush is a shrub-like plant that looks sort of like a compact lilac, grows quickly and blooms in mid-summer.

Colorful thyme ground cover plants in birmingham al