Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)

Butterfly bushes are one of the most popular nectar sources for butterflies across America. Butterfly bush is treated like a perennial rather than a shrub is most of the country. The top is not winter hardy, and usually dies back close to the ground. Flowers are produced on both old and new wood, but are bigger and showier on new wood, so pruning back to 8 to 10 inches in early spring is important.

Butterfly bush attracts many species of butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. However, it does not provide a food source for caterpillar of butterflies or any American native insects. In some parts of the country, butterfly bush is considered an invasive species, but not where winters are cold (down to 0°F).

Butterfly bush can take a wide range of soils. It prefers full sun but can take part shade. There are many cultivars, from large (10’) to small, compact, seedless varieties (3 x 3). There are also many colors available including bicolor, yellow, white, purple, red, lavender, pink, fuchsia, pale blue, and orange. They can be grafted together to get more than one color per plant. A great plant for butterfly gardens, mixed borders, or cottage gardens.