Miss molly butterfly bush is a beautiful, hardy plant that is perfect for any garden. This plant blooms profusely from mid-summer to frost and attracts an array of butterflies and other pollinators. The purple flowers are stunning against the green foliage and make a great addition to any cut flower arrangement.
Related plant:
Syringa Patula Miss Kim
Related plant:
Miss Kim Lilac
About soil condition, Molly butterfly bush prefers well-drained soil, but will tolerate some degree of wetness. It cannot, however, tolerate constantly soggy or wet soil. If the soil is too dense or too clay-like, it will not allow adequate drainage and the plant will suffocate.
So, like the other butterfly bushes, Miss Molly prefers full sun but will tolerate some light shade. It will bloom less profusely in shade, however. Soil should be moist but well-drained. Once established, this plant is quite drought tolerant.
The temperature condition that is ideal for the growth of the miss molly butterfly bush is between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature goes beyond this range, the bush will not be able to grow properly.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50-60%. If the humidity drops below 50%, the leaves may start to turn brown and crisp. If the humidity climbs above 60%, the leaves may start to yellow and drop off.
Discussing fertilizer, this kind of plant food is often used on vegetable gardens and flower gardens. Fertilizer comes in different types, such as granular, organic, and inorganic. Inorganic fertilizer is the most popular because it is easy to find and is not as expensive as organic fertilizer. Fertilizer is important to use on butterfly bushes because it provides the nutrients that the plant needs to grow. It is especially important to use fertilizer when the plant is first established. After the first year, you can cut back on the amount of fertilizer you use.
Pruning is an important part of keeping your Molly Butterfly Bush plant healthy and looking its best. Pruning not only helps to control the size and shape of the plant, but can also encourage new growth and flowering. When pruning your Molly Butterfly Bush, it is important to do so carefully and not to cut back too much at once. Start by trimming back any dead or damaged branches, then shape the plant by pruning back any longer stems. You can also remove any unwanted suckers that are growing from the base of the plant. If you want to encourage new growth and more flowers, prune back the plant by a third in late winter or early spring. This will help to stimulate new growth and promote more bountiful blooming.
Propagation is best accomplished through rooted cuttings taken from the desired plant. The cutting should be taken from a young, actively growing shoot that has not flowered. The cutting should be about 6 inches long and should have 2-3 sets of leaves. Cuttings should be taken from the plant in the spring or early summer. rooted the cutting in a well-drained potting mix. The potting mix should be moistened before the cutting is inserted. The cutting should be inserted so that the bottom leaves are just above the surface of the mix. After the cutting is in place, water it well and place it in a bright, sunny location. It is important to keep the potting mix moist but not wet while the cutting is rooting. Once the cutting has rooted, it can be transplanted into a larger pot or into the garden.
Usually, the plant growth rate is between 24 and 36 inches per year. An occasional plant may grow 48 inches in one season. Butterfly bush is a deciduous shrub, so it loses its leaves in the fall and winter.
Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot. Some ways to prevent these problems are to water early in the day, space plants properly, and to remove any infected leaves.
Source:
Butterfly Bush | Mississippi State University Extension Service
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia (Buddleja) davidii) - uaex.uada.edu
Butterfly Bush - University of Florida, Institute of Food and ...
