The Mop Top™ Alternate-leaved Butterfly Bush transforms your outdoor space into a living floral fountain as soon as the warm weather arrives. Unlike traditional varieties, this unique shrub features long, weeping branches that drape themselves in a multitude of fragrant lavender flowers even before other butterfly bushes wake up. Its compact habit and graceful silhouette bring movement and elegance to small gardens and large flowerbeds alike. A true magnet for early pollinators, it offers a rare and intense spring spectacle while maintaining exceptional hardiness.
Characteristics
Foliage: Small, narrow, soft green leaves, deciduous, arranged alternately along fine, arching stems.
Flowering: Dense clusters of pale lavender, highly fragrant flowers that completely cover the stems in spring.
Light: Best planted in full sun to maximize flowering density and fragrance.
Habit: Dwarf shrub with a weeping and fountain-like habit, forming a compact and regular dome.
Growth: Moderate growth rate, reaching a well-balanced mature size.
Soil: Thrives in well-drained soil, including alkaline types; avoid sites with standing water.
Temperature: Displays excellent hardiness, easily withstanding Zone 4 conditions.
Resistances: Highly drought-tolerant once established and resistant to White-tailed deer.
Usage
Types of use: Use as a focal point, in a mixed border, or in a large container on a terrace.
Decorative benefits: Provides a unique architectural structure with its cascading branches and early spring colour.
Maintenance
Watering: Water regularly during the first year. Once established, it becomes very resilient during dry spells.
Fertilizing: Apply a granular flowering shrub fertilizer in early spring before leaves emerge.
Pruning: Prune immediately after flowering, as it blooms on the previous year's wood. Never cut back in early spring.
Planting: Ensure sufficient spacing to allow branches to fall gracefully and plant in loose, well-draining soil.
Winter Protection: Benefit from its high hardiness; no specific protection is required once the plant is established.
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