Pug Butterfly Bushes Sickly - Ask Extension
I recently put in two Pug butterfly bushes - they were getting eaten so I sprayed some horticulture oil on them. I think the sun burned them. I have...
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Pug Butterfly Bushes Sickly #907810
Asked June 30, 2025, 10:24 AM EDT
I recently put in two Pug butterfly bushes - they were getting eaten so I sprayed some horticulture oil on them. I think the sun burned them. I have removed some of the burnt foliage but what is coming back looks bad. Don't know what the problem is. they both look like this and are on opposite sides of the house.
Licking County Ohio
Expert Response
I found an interesting article about an issue with the butterfly bush. It might be instructive for you. It comes from another master gardener and so it can be trusted.
https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=751505
If it is not helpful let me know. The Pugster is apparently a new cultivar with large flowers. As you probably know it is attractive to pollinators but is not native and not a plant that insects will lay their eggs on. It is invasive in many areas of the country. I will wait to hear from you if you need additional ideas. if you go online use a word search like “damaged leaves on butterfly bush edu”. it looks from your pictures like the newer foliage is ok. if that is the case then you might be seeing damage from a month ago..or longer…and perhaps from something mentioned in the article.
https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=751505
If it is not helpful let me know. The Pugster is apparently a new cultivar with large flowers. As you probably know it is attractive to pollinators but is not native and not a plant that insects will lay their eggs on. It is invasive in many areas of the country. I will wait to hear from you if you need additional ideas. if you go online use a word search like “damaged leaves on butterfly bush edu”. it looks from your pictures like the newer foliage is ok. if that is the case then you might be seeing damage from a month ago..or longer…and perhaps from something mentioned in the article.
