With the butterfly lilac, a robust and easy-care flowering shrub finds its way into your garden and on the balcony. All the more puzzling when the magical butterfly magnet doesn't bloom. There are primarily two causes that prevent the flowering period from being lost. You can read here what these are and how to react to them correctly.
Why isn't my lilac blooming?
If the butterfly lilac does not bloom, frost damage or incorrect pruning could be the cause. Cut back dead shoots and carry out professional pruning to 30 cm in winter to encourage flowering.
Cause No. 1: Frost damage
From the mountain slopes and embankments in China, the butterfly bush found its way into our gardens. In contrast to native trees, a Buddleja davidii is hardy down to -20 degrees Celsius. If this property is underestimated in a harsh winter region and protective measures are not taken, the shoots will freeze back drastically.
Of course, this is no reason to clear the flowering bush, because there is hope. A butterfly bush always blooms on this year's wood. Therefore, cut off all brown, dead branches on the buddleia. As long as at least 2 eyes remain on a branch, the plant will sprout again and produce its flower spikes this year.
Cause No. 2: Incorrect pruning
Only professional pruning will ensure that your butterfly bush will bloom again this year. If the tree is not trimmed for a few years or is trimmed too hesitantly, you will look for the flowers in vain. With the following pruning measures you can get the flowering going again:
- The best date is a frost-free day between January and March
- Short all shoots down to 30 cm, or 2 to 3 leaf nodes
- Thoroughly thin out the bush
If you cut back a butterfly bush in autumn, it will have no resistance to the bitter frost and will freeze to death. If, on the other hand, you wait until early summer, the buds for this year's flowering have already been formed and will fall victim to the scissors.
Tip
Butterfly lilac and real lilac look very similar to each other. It should not be overlooked that the ornamental shrubs bloom at different times. The real lilac delights us with its splendor of flowers from spring to May. In contrast, the flowering period on the butterfly bush does not start until July.