Butterfly bushes are a low care & maintenance way to attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds to your yard and provide summer and fall color for you to enjoy. Plant as a specimen shrub surrounded by other sun loving plants in a full sun location for the best flower production. Or mass plant these out for an outstanding summer display.
Butterfly bush, Buddleia, or commonly called Summer Lilac, is a deciduous shrub that blooms in early summer to late fall, attracting butterflies. This shrub is native to the Sichuan and Hubei Provinces of China, and also Japan. About 180 Buddleia davidii cultivars are available plus dozens of hybrids, giving home gardeners a wide choice of colors and overall sizes to select from for their landscape. Some popular Butterfly Bush varieties include Black Knight, Pink Delight, Miss Ruby, Royal Red and Blue Chip. With their dramatic colored flowers and their upright habit, Butterfly Bushes make great specimen plants or a privacy screen.
Six week long bloom time summer to fall
White, pink, red, purple and blue flowers
Great for garden borders
Can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide
Winter hardy from Zones 5 to 10
Landscaping Tip: Butterfly Bushes are fast growing, vigorous shrubs and will quickly fill in that area in your landscape that needs the right ‘something’, giving you bright flowers and lush green foliage and attracting pollinators to your garden.
Summer Lilac, Orange-Eye Butterfly Bush, Honey Bush
Native To:
Asia, Africa, and the Americas
Plant Type:
Bushes
Foliage Type:
Deciduous
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
5 - 9
Flower Color:
Purple, Pink, White, Yellow
Flower Bloom Time:
Summer to Fall
Growth Habit:
Clumping, Spreading, Upright
Attracts:
Butterflies, Bees, Hummingbirds
Tolerates:
Drought, Heat, Harsh Winters
Resists:
Insect Pests, Stress
How To Use Butterfly Bushes In The Garden
Butterfly bushes are valued for attracting pollinators with their sweet-smelling, nectar-filled flowers. These hardy shrubs are easy to grow and come in various shades, from deep purples to soft whites, offering continuous blooms throughout the summer. Their drought tolerance and adaptability to different soil types make them a practical yet beautiful addition to any garden.
Butterfly bushes can be used in the landscape as blooming hedges, accent plants in mixed borders, or anchors in a perennial bed. Their long, arching branches provide both height and texture, creating elegant layers in garden design. Plant them near patios or seating areas to enjoy the presence of butterflies they attract, or pair them with perennials like coneflowers and sedums for a pollinator-friendly garden. Butterfly bushes can also work well in container gardens, adding structure and color to patios or decks.
Butterfly Bushes Care
Planting butterfly bushes requires well-drained soil and a location that receives full sun. They perform best when planted in moderately fertile soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH levels. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so drainage is crucial. While fertilizer is not always necessary, a light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring can encourage healthy growth and blooming.
Butterfly bush blooms on new wood each year and should be cut back to about 12 inches above the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. It will rebound and give you loads of blooms again in early summer. During winter, apply a layer of mulch around the base to protect roots in colder climates. For container gardening, use a pot with proper drainage holes and a well-aerated potting mix. Containers should be large enough to accommodate the plant's root system and prevent overcrowding.
Butterfly bushes (Buddleia or Buddleja) are admired for their beauty and low-water needs. However, some species have been labeled as invasive in certain areas. This has led to confusion among gardeners about cultivating these plants.
In regions like the Southwest, where conditions are dry, butterfly bushes are generally not invasive. Additionally, many new cultivars have been developed to be seedless, reducing the risk of spreading. Check out the Lo and Behold and Miss Series of butterfly bushes, which are sterile, or consider Orange Wooly or Utah Butterfly Bush, both native to the Southwest US.
Butterfly Bushes can be planted alone as a beautiful specimen plant in your garden, or can be massed out to create a beautiful privacy screen or border. Other tall, upright sun loving shrubs such as Lilacs, Rose of Sharon, Mock Orange and Crape Myrtle can be used to create colorful borders and bring a plethora of color and texture to your landscape.
