If a butterfly bush boasts a never-ending flowering period, the flower magic results from professional planting at the best possible time. All important questions about choosing a date and perfect planting technology are examined in more detail here.
When and how should you plant a butterfly lilac?
The ideal time to plant a butterfly bush is in autumn, as the soil is warmed up and promotes rooting. Choose a sunny, wind-protected location with nutrient-rich, loose soil. Before planting, pot out the root ball and plant the shrub at a distance of 100 cm from other plants.
When is it time to plant the butterfly bush?
Perennials and trees grown in containers can in principle be planted throughout the entire growing season as long as the ground is not frozen. A young butterfly bush receives the best starting conditions in autumn. At this time, the earth is warmed deep down by the sun. This advantage has a positive effect on rooting, so that this process is completed in time before the onset of winter.
Where does it bloom best?
Once the question of when has been answered, the focus is on where. Choose a location for your butterfly bush in autumn with these basic conditions:
- Sunny, warm and sheltered location
- Ideally in nutrient-rich, humus-rich, loose soil
- Fresh to moderately dry
Butterfly lilac has no special requirements when it comes to soil acidity. The summer bloomer thrives equally vitally and he althily in slightly acidic, neutral and alkaline soil.
What should you pay attention to when planting?
Soak the root ball in water before potting it up for planting. In the meantime, dig a spacious pit and mix the excavated material with compost and horn shavings. The existing planting depth should be maintained as far as possible. Due to its expansive growth, we recommend a planting distance of at least 100 cm in the group and row. Press the soil firmly and water generously.
You can keep its urge to spread under control by lining the planting pit for a butterfly bush with a non-rotting root barrier. Alternatively, first place a bottomless mason's tub in the hole to plant the strong shrub in it.
Tip
Autumn is not just the perfect time to plant a butterfly bush. At this time of year you can also cut cuttings for easy propagation. The ideal cutting is 20 cm long, leafless and has leaf nodes at the top and bottom. Inserted three quarters into the soil in the propagation bed, watered regularly and protected with winter fleece, the offshoots root in no time.
