Butterfly Bush

Buddleia Davidii

This deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub typically grows from 6 to 10 feet tall by 4 to 10 feet wide with a rather open, arching form. Their stems are square in cross-section, and young shoots are covered by dense, white hairs. Leaves are opposite, 3 to 5 inches long by 1 to 3 inches wide, varying from deep green to gray-green to silvery-gray. The leaves of some cultivars are densely hairy underneath. Size, form and leaf color can vary widely by cultivar and should be considered when purchasing plants. Buddleia attracts many varieties of butterflies including Fritillaries, Western Tiger Swallowtails, Tortoiseshells and Red Admirals. Red varieties may attract hummingbirds!

Butterfly bushes grow very fast and can reach mature size in 1 to 2 growing seasons. Butterfly bush flowers on new wood and therefore is best pruned low in the spring.

While Butterfly Bushes have many virtues, their one main flaw is that the dead flowers are never dropped. Deadheading therefore is necessary and prolongs flowering time.

To trim the butterfly bush, with loppers chop back the weeping side branches to a cluster of main stems in the center of the bush. The center stem are left as tall as possible without having the tops droop down. Usually this means  some of the top growth is cut back a bit also. Even beefy side stems are removed if they are arching away from the main cluster of center stems. The result is a columnar plant that looks like a plucked chicken, but within a few weeks the bush is covered with fresh new growth. And, shortly after, it will be covered with fresh as a daisy blue or gold or pink or dark purple or light purple or white or reddish purple or bluish purple flowers that will stun and please.

Butterfly bush is easy to transplant. It flowers on new growth and best flowers when plant is severely pruned in late winter. Spider mites can become a problem during drought. While Buddleias do require some summer watering, it is not an excessive amount. Once established, it is drought tolerant and needs infrequent watering.