Mulch for a Butterfly Bush

Mulch

• Mulch protects soil from erosion by wind, rainfall and irrigation. It also supplies constantly decaying organic matter to the soil, which increases its nutrients. Plants such as the butterfly bush need 13 nutrients. Organic mulch is easily made in the backyard and is available from garden centers. Butterfly bushes require the well-draining soil that results from high-organic matter content. A 2- to 3-inch layer of straw, pine needles, dried leaves or mature backyard compost provides a protective mulch layer for a butterfly bush.

Straw

• Straw is readily available and easy to use as a mulch material but has the disadvantage of a coarse appearance. It is easily applied in a 3- to - inch layer around a butterfly bush. Mulch young plants after they are 5 to 6 inches in height. Butterfly bushes grow rapidly and may reach maturity in one or two seasons. Straw used as mulch may contain weed seeds, and it needs to be reapplied more frequently than other types of mulch.

Leaves and Pine Needles

• Leaves decompose slowly and needs to be reapplied only once per season. Pine needles last two seasons. Leaf or pine mulch applied too thickly may matt down and interfere with air and water circulation to the soil. Shredded eaves and pine needles are more effective as mulch. Both leaf and pine needle mulch improve soil nutrient content, organic matter content and soil structure.

Lawn Clippings

• Lawn clippings are high in nitrogen content, the nutrient most needed for healthy plant growth. They are used as mulch material alone or as a vital component of organic compost. Lawn clippings decompose slowly and matt down if applied too thickly. Lawn clippings applied in a thin layer and covered with a 2- to 3-inch layer of straw provide good nutrient content, as well as air and water circulation for soil. Homemade backyard compost is created in three to six months and is used as mulch material.

Butterfly Bush Declared Invasive Weed Species

• The butterfly bush is an invasive weed in most of the Western and Southern regions of the United States because it easily takes over native plant species. The Oregon State Department of Agriculture recommends home gardeners cut the spent blossoms of butterfly bushes to prevent seed spreading into wild areas. Many butterfly gardeners recommend native plants that also attract butterflies instead of the butterfly bush. Tall shrubs, such as serviceberry, leadplant, Ceanothus and spicebush, attract an array of butterflies to the garden.