In order to develop its fragrant flowers, a butterfly lilac does not necessarily have to rely on a supplementary supply of nutrients. With a little fertilizer at the right time, you can still promote its floral expression and winter hardiness. You can find out here how to skillfully fertilize a butterfly bush in the bed and container.
How should you fertilize a butterfly lilac?
A butterfly lilac in the bed should be fertilized with compost and horn shavings immediately after pruning in spring, followed by further fertilization in June and August. For potted plants, a phosphorus-based liquid fertilizer is recommended every four weeks from April to September.
In the bed, fertilizing and cutting go hand in hand
As a summer bloomer, a butterfly bush receives its annual pruning in early spring. Cut the branches back to 2 or 3 eyes. To ensure that the shrub achieves its majestic size before the flowering period begins, stimulate growth with fertilizer immediately after cutting. This is how it works:
- After pruning, spread compost and horn shavings 3-5 cm thick on the root disc
- Work in superficially with the rake and pour in again
- Proceed in this way again in June and August
In September you can influence winter hardiness with an adequate fertilizer by specifically administering potassium. Patentkali or Thomaskali are just as suitable for this purpose as comfrey manure. Potassium strengthens the cell walls in the tissue and lowers the freezing point in the cell water.
Fertilize the butterfly bush in the bucket - this is how it works
In the pot substrate, the fertilizer supplies are quickly used up, without a butterfly bush being able to send out its roots in search of further nutrients. Continuous fertilization ensures that your flowering trees on the balcony do not weaken. This is how it works:
- Fertilize liquidly in the pot every 4 weeks from April/May to August/September
- Add a phosphorus-based fertilizer (€8.00 on Amazon) to the irrigation water according to the manufacturer's instructions
- Do not apply liquid fertilizer to dried substrate
- Water in advance with clear water
If you repot the butterfly bush in spring, the substrate is pre-fertilized for 4 to 6 weeks. In this case, the nutrient supply starts later in order to avoid an overdose.
Tip
The pivotal point for vital growth and a lavish abundance of flowers is the choice of location. Your butterfly bush should be in a sunny to partially shaded location with 4 to 6 hours of sunshine daily. There the summer beauty is always swarmed by butterflies and lives up to her name.
