Groovy Grape Butterfly Bush is a stunning shrub that will turn your garden into a magnet for butterflies!
If you like the idea of having a lively yard where bees and other beneficial pollinators wander around, adding this flowering bush is your best option. It produces abundant blooms that will brighten your property, no matter where you place it. I
ts flowers are about six to ten inches long and attract hummingbirds and various species of butterflies, making these plants perfect as companions. If you have plants that need help with pollination, consider adding a butterfly bush in your yard.
You can also cut the blooms and use them in your compositions to decorate your interiors: they will look beautiful in any glass vase! Plus, their fragrance will enrich your space.
And you know what? You won’t have to spend too much time caring for it. If you are familiar with these bushes, you probably know that they are easy to grow.
So much so that most species are invasive in most parts of North America (especially in the Southern regions).
But how do you take care of this hybrid? And what should you know about it to make the most out of this stunning plant (and prevent it from taking over your garden)? You will find answers to these questions (and much more) in this essential guide.
Groovy Grape Butterfly Bush Care: Our Tips
Caring for butterfly bushes isn’t complicated. And groovy grape Butterfly Bush is no exception. However, you will get the best results by planting them in a sunny location and ensuring they get well-draining soil.
Like most plants, these butterfly bushes don’t like wet feet, which might cause root rot and fungal infections.
Don’t forget that these plants thrive in USDA hardiness zones between 5 and 9. Under such conditions, your plants will quickly grow and fill any bare spot in your landscape.
Avoid feeding them with fertilizer: more often than not, it will result in lush plants at the expense of flower production.
Plus, your butterfly bush care won’t need extra feed (unless your soil is poor): these plants adapt to most conditions and find their way to nutrients! They even do well in clay soil!
But if you feel the need to add fertilizer to your plants, make sure you purchase a balanced (and slow-release) product.
Also, don’t forget to prune your plants regularly and deadhead their flowers. Doing so will help you maintain your Butterfly Bush in an attractive shape. Plus, it will contribute to controlling its spread. Indeed, flowers contain seeds that (if left on the ground) will find their way into the soil and create new plants.
Unless you are ok with Groove Grape Butterfly Bush taking over your garden, you should pick dead flowers as soon as you notice them and cut of yellow leaves. Deadheading will also extend the flowering season: to enjoy blooms until fall, don’t skip this process.
Don’t forget that butterfly bushes are a noxious weed in some parts of the country, including Oregon, Washington, California, and Hawaii. Native to China and Tibet, these plants spread (and got to the Americas) and evolved into more than 100 species.
The Groovy Grape variety is a hybrid selected by Micheal Dirr that presents a similarly aggressive behavior.
Make sure you keep it under control by following our recommendations in this guide. Deadheading flowers isn’t challenging: pick the flowers that look shriveled with your hands (without damaging the stems). Prune your bushes at least once per year in the winter.
If you live in a cold region, your butterfly bush will more likely die back to the ground, but if you live in a warm place, don’t forget to prune your plant back to 12 inches to rejuvenate it.
Don’t forget that butterfly bushes are herbaceous perennial: they usually don’t die in the winter, but they will grow better (and maintain a more attractive shape) if you cut them to the ground. Doing so will promote healthier growth and give you more flowers in the following season.
Consider adding a layer of mulch around your butterfly bushes: it will help with water retention and will contribute to keeping weeds at bay. Add a thicker layer if you live in a hot and dry region.
Groovy Grape Butterfly Bush: Conclusion
By following our recommendation, you should be able to enjoy your Groovy Grape Butterfly Bush at its maximum! Good luck!