It's spring and green life is stirring everywhere. The buddleia also seems to have awakened from its hibernation. But it only sprouts in the lowest area. The upper parts of the plant remain gray and bare.
What can you do if the buddleia only sprouts at the bottom?
In most cases, the upper parts of the buddleia have fallen victim to severe frost or disease and mustbe radically cut down. The frozen or diseased twigs and branches will not sprout again but can be disposed of.
Can frost affect the budding of buddleia?
Usually the buddleia is frost hardy and does not need to be overwintered, butlate frostcan be veryaffecting it, especially if it is already budding plugged. Then many of its plant parts freeze shortly and do not sprout again. Nevertheless, the warmth-loving butterfly lilac will survive this and will sprout from below.
What can be done if the buddleia is damaged by frost?
If parts of the butterfly bush are frozen due to temperatures that are too low, they will no longer grow and should thereforecut back. To do this, grab a pair of pruning shears or secateurs depending on the strength of the shoots and degree of woodiness and cut the buddleia as far down as necessary. The shoots are frozen and dead and are just ballast for Buddleja. Even if you cut back your buddleia in February, you can still cut it back in May if it has been damaged by late frost, for example.
Is it problematic if the buddleia only sprouts at the bottom?
It isnot problematic if the buddleia only sprouts at the bottom. It grows very quickly and has a bushy growth thanks to the new growth from below. It will also produce flowers in the summer as it forms its flower spikes on the new shoots. However, if necessary, it is advisable to provide the buddleia with fertilizer, as the complete new growth takes a lot of energy.
Can diseases harm the budding of buddleia?
Although rare, butpossible it is that the buddleia only sprouts at the bottom because its upper parts of the plant are diseased. In this case, you should radically cut off the diseased and mostly dried shoots. If necessary, this cutback can also be done to 30 cm above the ground. Dispose of the diseased parts of the buddleia plant in household waste and not in the compost.
Tip
Protecting buddleia in winter
To prevent the upper parts of the buddleia from freezing in winter or even when it shoots, it is advisable to plant the buddleia in a protected location and stop fertilizing from late summer onwards. Too much nitrogen makes its shoots soft and therefore more susceptible to frost.