I also checked out the Butterfly bush, (Buddleia), an all time favorite of mine! I think every household, especially with children, should have at least one! They come in all different colors and bloom throughout the season, and of course live up to to their name. If you cut off the dead blooms, you will continue to get new blooms. Since living here in VA, I’ve learned that they are considered “invasive”. I don’t see it, and other gardeners I’ve talked to don’t either. This is a dwarf variety, “Hot Raspberry.” This one grows up to 4’. Ones that aren’t dwarf can can grow over 6’ tall tall and wide. Every year, early spring, (March) you can cut them down to 1 – 2’ feet and they will grow back.
The Hydrangeas are starting to bloom. They are so beautiful! When I get back, I will pick some to bring in the house.. I’ll share a secret: if you drain and save dill pickle juice and pour it around the roots, it will help a hydrangea that hadn’t bloomed to bloom. It is also acidic, which can change the color of your hydrangeas, the more acidic the soil with a pH lower than 6.0 will give you blue/lavender blooms. Alkaline soil with pH ave 7.0 gives you pinks/reds. pH between 6 and 7, blooms turn purple or bluish/pink.