Butterfly Bush

BUTTERFLY BUSH

 

When planting remember a 'Buddleia' can rapidly out grow it's space.  

 

As the name implies, the butterfly bush 'Buddleia' is a shrub that attracts butterflies.  They seem to find this shrub impossible to pass by; Buddleia often host more than one butterfly at a time.  Also, don't be surprised to see a hummingbird visit the shrub, especially later in the season.

 

In midsummer, often more than one butterfly will visit this bush at a time. 

 

Noted for its long spires of flowers in a collection of tiny clusters, butterfly bushes bloom from midsummer until the frost period. Buddleia are available in a range of colors from white to pink, to purple, to blue, and even yellow. This hardy shrub dies back in winter and then re-sprouts from new growth next spring, flowering from 'new wood'.  To keep them neat and healthy give Buddleia a 'heavy' pruning every spring.  In late March or April prune it back to two or three feet from the ground. Amazingly it will still increase its height and width every year.  By forcing new growth from the bottom you encourage your shrub to sprout more new stems and many more

flowers.

 

Butterfly bushes are available in many colors, including yellow. 

 

A native to temperate regions of Asia, South Africa, and South America, this fast growing shrub can reach a height of over 6 ft and easily spread as wide in just a few years.  Although well worth the space, keep size in consideration when selecting a planting site.  This also means you can save money by planting a young plant and it will quickly reach its desired height.  Besides, Buddleia shrubs are both drought and deer resistant.  That is a plus for any plant.

 

 Yellow swallowtails, Monarchs and Black Swallowtails mingle with each other while
feeding at this beautiful flowering shrubs.

 

 Butterfly bushes have two draw backs.  First they can quickly outgrow their space. Once established they can grow and spread quickly.  Remember this when selecting a spot. Mature shrubs do not transplant well.  For those with less space there are now miniature varieties.  They will also attract butterflies. Secondly, butterfly bushes can self seed and spread where they are not wanted. I simply remove the unwanted plants treating them as weeds or pot them up to be replanted later.

 

New varieties of miniature butterfly bushes can easily find a spot in almost any garden
with enough sunlight.. 

 

 If butterflies love a flower so do bees. Remember that when planting Buddleia and keep them away from areas with a lot of human traffic and children. An ounce of prevention...

 

Even Hummingbirds visit for a quick snack. 

 

 

                                                                                                                                       Happy Gardening,

James