We all know how important that the Buddleia (butterfly bush) is for any garden for attracting butterfly’s, moths, insects and therefore birds.
But the pruning’s also have many uses. So if you are pruning your Buddleia now here are some Goosey’s tips for your left overs!
Pea sticks – The large branches I cut off and use for canes/pea sticks to tie other plants to later in the year. I cut off all the side branches and shoots to leave long straight sticks. These look much more naturalistic than shop bought canes.
Props - When I cut the pruning’s down, I leave a “Y” at the top of the branch. These are ideal to use as props. I have a Rhododendron which has heavy branches, some dropped leaving gaps in the bush while others had a drooped on to the ground where foliage could rot and leaving excellent hidey-holes for the cat to watch the birds. Using these “Y” props have solved this problem.
Edging – I use lots of straight smaller bits to edge a border where the soil is actually higher than the ground and washes on to the path. Cut pieces a bit more than twice as long as you want exposed above the ground. Put these in a row as close together as poss’ and use a mallet to drive them in to the ground. It looks a bit man made at first but soon weathers and looks better. It doesn’t stop water draining away but slows it down and does stop the soil from moving. Unwanted stones behind theses also gives an extra assistance to stop water loss.
Spikes – Use odd bits left over under bushes, or freshly dug soil. Stick them upwards all over the place to stop the cats digging the fresh earth as a toilet. Also under bushes so it is difficult for them to find a place big enough to sit in wait for the birds.
Linear Mode
