Butterfly Bush Diseases – Treating Diseases Of Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bush, also called buddleia or buddleja, is a relatively trouble free plant to have in the garden. It grows so easily that in some places it’s considered a weed, and it is affected by very few diseases. That being said, there are a few buddleia diseases you ought to look out for if you want your plant to be as healthy as it can be. Keep reading to learn more about butterfly bush disease problems and how to go about troubleshooting butterfly bush issues.
Butterfly Bush Diseases
Downy mildew is a relatively common problem that can occur when temperatures are cool and the plant’s leaves are wet for a long period of time. It looks just like the name suggests, with furry patches of mildew appearing on the undersides of leaves. The opposite sides of the leaves don’t grow mildew, but they may turn yellow or brown, and the whole leaf may become misshapen. The best way to prevent it is to keep the bushes far apart for airflow and to keep the ground around them clear of leaves. If you already have mildew, remove any really infested plants or branches and spray with fungicide. Another one of the common butterfly bush diseases is rhizoctonia, a fungal root rot that makes leaves yellow and drop and destroys the roots. It’s hard to totally wipe out rhizoctonia, but applying fungicide to the soil can help. One more of the buddleia diseases is phytophthora, another fungal root rot. It’s noticeable above ground by yellowing leaves, smaller than usual flowers, and stems rotting on the plant. Underground, the outer layers of the roots rot away. Phytophthora can sometimes be treated by the application of fungicide, though sometimes even with treatment the plant will die. Treating diseases of butterfly bush is more a means of prevention than anything else. Typically, if grown in suitable locations with well-draining soil and plenty of air circulation, most issues with these shrubs can be alleviated right from the get-go.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
The only child of a horticulturist and an English teacher, Liz Baessler was destined to become a gardening editor. She has been with Gardening Know how since 2015, and a Senior Editor since 2020. She holds a BA in English from Brandeis University and an MA in English from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. After years of gardening in containers and community garden plots, she finally has a backyard of her own, which she is systematically filling with vegetables and flowers.
-
Reese Witherspoon’s Natural DIY Wreath Beams With Festive Joy – Here’s How She Made It
Be inspired to recreate Reese Witherspoon's beautiful holiday wreath using greenery from your garden with our step-by-step guide to getting the look.
By Melanie Griffiths
-
Growing Spotted Bee Balm: Find Out How To Grow Horsemint For Your Pollinator Garden
For anyone looking to cultivate native flowering plants that attract pollinators, spotted bee balm is a must! We show you how to grow horsemint for friendly garden visitors
By Tonya Barnett
-
Butterfly Bush Container Growing – How To Grow Buddleia In A Pot
Can I grow a butterfly bush in a container? The answer is yes, you can - with caveats. Growing a butterfly bush in a pot is very possible if you can provide this vigorous shrub with a very large pot. If this sounds like something you?d like to try, click here for more info.
By Mary H. Dyer
-
My Butterfly Bush Looks Dead – How To Revive A Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bushes should be able to survive winter in USDA zones 5 through 10. Sometimes they have a harder time coming back, however. Find out what to do if your butterfly bush is not coming back in the spring in this article and how to revive it.
By Liz Baessler
-
Problems With Butterfly Bushes: Common Butterfly Bush Pests And Diseases
Butterfly bushes are truly tough plants and grow well under a variety of conditions. In fact, they grow so well and spread so easily that, in some locations, they are considered invasive. That said, butterfly bush problems do occur, and this article will help.
By Teo Spengler
-
Avoiding Butterfly Bush Winter Kill: Learn How To Overwinter A Butterfly Bush
If you are concerned about butterfly bush winter kill in your region, take some tips on how to save the plant. There are several steps to preparing butterfly bushes for winter and saving these colorful plants. Click here to learn more.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Butterfly Bush Leaves Turning Yellow: How To Fix Yellowing Butterfly Bush Leaves
When it defoliates in autumn, the leaves change color naturally; but during the growing season, yellow leaves on my butterfly bush can signal other problems. Here are some potential causes so you can triage your yellowing butterfly bush leaves.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Butterfly Bush Varieties: Kinds Of Butterfly Bushes To Grow
Attractive garden plants in cold, medium and warm zones, there are butterfly bush varieties that would work well in nearly any region. For more information on different kinds of butterfly bushes, click on the following article.
By Teo Spengler
-
My Butterfly Bush Is Not Blooming – How To Get A Butterfly Bush To Bloom
It can be a serious letdown if your butterfly bush will not bloom. Find reasons why there may be no flowers on a butterfly bush, as well as ways to get a butterfly bush to bloom in the following article. Click here for more info.
By Liz Baessler
-
Best Fertilizer For Butterfly Bushes: Tips On Fertilizing A Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bush is not a heavy feeder, and fertilizing the bush is not essential to growth. However, some gardeners use fertilizer in spring. Click here for information about feeding butterfly bushes and the best fertilizer to use.
By Teo Spengler