Butterfly Candy

From Dormancy to Bloom: Here's What You Can Expect

Late Fall (November – Early December): Plant Enters Dormancy

• Visual dieback begins: foliage browns, stems become woody, and top growth halts.
• Root activity continues below the soil even after foliage fades.
• No new growth is expected during this time—it’s all about energy conservation.

❌ Don’t prune your Butterfly Candy this fall. Pruning now removes the stems that would bloom next season. Instead, leave the stalks in place to protect the crown.

✅ Do apply 2–4 inches of mulch after your first hard freeze. This insulates the root zone and helps prevent damage from freeze–thaw cycles.

❄️ Winter (Mid-December – February): Deep Dormancy

• Plants will appear lifeless above ground—this is completely normal.
• In Zones 5–6, the top may die back completely, especially after repeated freezes.
• Snowfall actually helps by insulating the root zone. The real threat is freeze–thaw cycles or poor drainage that causes rot.

❌ Don’t water unless there's an extended warm spell and dry soil. Also, avoid disturbing the mulch—it’s protecting your plant!

March–April: The Waiting Game

• Begin checking for signs of new shoots at the base of the plant as soil temperatures rise. If your plant dies back completely, it may still regrow from the root system—this is common after a harsh winter.

❌ Don’t rush to prune! Wait until you’re well past your area’s average last frost.

April–May: Regrowth & Recovery

• Once new growth appears, cut back old stems to 6–12 inches and clean up dead wood.
• Refresh the mulch layer and apply a light dose of fertilizer to support spring growth. If no new shoots appear by late May, assess for waterlogging, rot, or total root damage—give it time.

️ Remember: Butterfly Candy bushes are resilient. With the right fall prep and a little patience, they can survive tough winters and return strong when the weather warms!