YARMOUTH, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- On this week's your garden. we are talking butterfly bushes and the mistakes many people make with them.
These bushes provide lovely color to your garden and attract butterflies in droves. But many people say they don't overwinter well.
Tom Estabrook of Estabrooks in Yarmouth says that's because many people make some common mistakes with these plants.
He says you should start off with a good root stimulator. Organic Start by Espoma is his favorite.\
Use it when you plant and continue to fertilize once or twice a week.
They also really love to be dead headed. That will push more growth. But Estabrooks says you should stop deadheading in mid August so the plant will seed and start to go dormant. If not, the first frost will kill a third of the plant.
Also, don't cut them back in the fall. If you do, the frost goes in the stem and kills another 50% of the plant and you will have lackluster growth.
In the spring, about June 1, Tom says you can shape the plant and fertilize.
Keep it happy with water all summer long into late fall and you will have much better success with your butterfly bushes.