The butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) is a beautiful, fast-growing, deciduous shrub with masses of blossoms—long, spiked trusses—that bloom from summer to autumn.
Its flowers come in many colors, though butterflies seem to prefer the lavender-pink (mauve) of the species to the white and dark purple cultivars.
Also called “summer lilacs,” butterfly bushes are hardy to Zone 5 and remain evergreen from Zone 8 south. The shrub is low-maintenance, only requiring dead-heading and annual pruning in later winter to encourage flowers and a compact shape.
Invasive Concerns
Please note that the butterfly bush, originally imported from China, has been classified as an invasive species in most U.S. regions. In other words, the butterfly bush is known to crowd out native plants that are essential to wildlife, including butterflies and birds. In warm climates, it can become a noxious weed and spread aggressively, while in cooler climates, it mostly stays contained within a garden’s cultivated soil if gardeners deadhead the flowers.
Despite the “butterfly” name, keep in mind that this shrub is not a “host plant” for butterflies in that it does not support butterfly reproduction and lifecycle. Caterpillars do not feed on butterfly bushes; rather, it only provides nectar to adult butterflies. If you do have a butterfly bush, be sure to add native host plants such as milkweed, aster, and dill if you want the butterflies to stay. See plants that attract butterflies.
If you would still like to put a butterfly bush in your garden, there are a few species of non-invasive butterfly bushes native to the southwestern US. Please check with your local cooperative extension for more information.
Reader Comments
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When to prune?
I live in California,I see that the information says to prune the Butterfly bushes all the way back in Spring. I noticed that all of my bushes have new baby leaves all over the branches. Do I still prune back all of the branches with the new leaves growing. Thanks for the information.
butterfly bush pruning
It may seem contrary but all of our sources indicate that even in warm climates, the butterfly bush should be pruned to close to the ground in early spring. In your climate that could have been in January, so do it as soon as you can. the plant is more prolific and the flowers are larger on new wood. Best wishes!
Thank you
Thank you
Late pruning.
I live in Georgia and we've had a mild winter so far.I haven't cut my bushes back yet. Should I cut them back now or wait till Spring?
Do not prune butterfly bush
Do not prune butterfly bush in early winter, regardless of temperatures. Wait until you are closer to spring, such as early March.
Buddleia bloom time zone 10
Does anyone know what month the buddleias bloom in zone 10?
Bloom Time
In general, Buddleia davidii blooms in midsummer in warmer climates. Other species, such as B. x weyeriana, bloom in spring and/or early summer. A few bloom in late winter, such as B. asiatica. Bloom times can also vary according to local climate. You might ask a local nursery about what the bloom times are for these plants in your area.
butterfly bush seeds.
Is it possible to buy butterfly bush seeds.....????? I want to take them to friends who are unable to purchase the bush where they live.
Butterfly Bush seeds
Park Seed sells them. I just ordered some.
My butterfly bush broke off at the root.
My butterfly bush broke off at the roots . a little of the root is still in the ground will it come back next year.
Your butterfly bush will grow
Your butterfly bush will grow back as long as the crown of the shrub, which is where the stems emerge from the root system, is still intact.
small butterfly bush in a hanging basket
I bought a butterfly bush this summer in a hanging basket. It is a beautiful 12 inch plant and has been blooming ever since I brought it home. I wonder when would be the best time of year to plant it in the ground. I live in Zone 7.
Fall is a good time to
Fall is a good time to transplant a butterfly bush. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial to full sun. Add some compost to the soil prior to planting. In the spring prune the bush while it is still dormant.
Can I tie my butterfly bush??
Can I tie my butterfly bush?? It seemed to grow out into the yard.. I planted it in early spring , looks great but getting hard to cut in front of it.
It's a good idea to tie up
It's a good idea to tie up some of the branches that grow out into your lawn. In early spring prune the side branches leaving just a few of the main stems in the center of the bush. Some people prune the bush all the way down to the ground before new growth starts in the spring.
Thanks -that's just the
Thanks -that's just the question I was wondering. Thanks for the tip!
LATE SUMMER, DYING FLOWERS
My butterfly bush is big and beautiful and I just love it. However i have noticed this year that the flowers are dying early and I'm not sure if I should prune the dead flowers off the bush now in late summer in Indiana or leave alone and prune back to base in late winter.
Removing spent flowers
For butterfly bush, it's OK at any time to remove flowers that have recently died (called deadheading). This will encourage more blossoms to develop during the bloom season (which usually ends sometime in October) and prevent the plant from focusing its energy on forming seeds. Usually when flowers die, it means that they have been pollinated and are starting to form seeds, or they have reached the end of their life cycle. Occasionally, it might mean an insect, disease, or cultural problem (such as excessive heat or freezing), but it's unlikely in this case, since the actual bush is doing well. No matter what the cause, it won't hurt the plant if you'd like to prune off the spent flowers.
Dying Bush?
I live in Southern Ontario and have recently planted a butterfly bush. It's been almost 2 weeks since I've planted it and now it looks like it might be dying. Is this normal or something I can prevent? I absolutely love the bush and planted it in my front garden where it gets lots of sun. The lady at the gardening center recommended that I mix the soil with bone meal and line the hole I dug for the bush, prior to planting. I've watered at least twice a week if it hasn't rained recently. What else can I do to keep it living?
Butterfly bush is a very
Butterfly bush is a very tough plant. It usually grows well with little water and no fertilizer. It does die back in the winter but will start showing new growth in spring. Prune the bush after your last frost in the spring and when you see new leaves on the plant.
Butterfly bush
I am in Southern Ontario and thought I had lost my butterfly bush in March as we had unseasonally hot weather, it was in full leaf. We had a devasting frost and everything was gone. It came back and is just incredible with blooms, butterflies and a couple of hummingbirds. Just love it.
North Eastern Ontario planting Butterfly Bush
I have planted 2 bushes this summer and they are doing well. Hoping that they will survive our winter. I will cover with a good mulch and hope for more snow cover this winter
Good idea to mulch the
Good idea to mulch the bushes. Remember to prune them back after your last frost in the spring and they should do fine.
I planted my butterfly bush
I planted my butterfly bush in June,
we have recently had a lot of rain, the bush looks as though it is dying, any suggestions?
Which zone are you in?
Which zone are you in? Butterfly bush is hardy to zone 4. This plant doesn't usually die quickly; problems are often due to 1) how well the original plant overwintered and transplanted and/or 2) lack of the FULL SUN it craves. That said, do not over-water. They are drought-tolerant and need good drainage, too. Try cutting back hard in late winter or early spring and see if it recovers.
Minimum care, maximum beauty
I have about 10 butterfly bushes planted in my landscape. They are always covered with the most colorful butterflies, large bumble bees, and the occasional hummingbird. These bushes are the envy of the neighborhood. A little trimming here and there keep them looking manicured, although not needed for full flower production. This is one easy plant to have accent your outdoor spaces.
Butterfly Bush Invading my garden, everywhere
Butterfly Bush in my neighbor's yard are invading my entire garden...and I mean every part of my garden. Pulling it out has become a never ending battle for me. It is not a Native Plant and does not support Butterflies. The definition of supporting butterflies is to be a Host Plant (Larval Host). It invades and out competes native plants severely which has a Direct impact on Birds (which need native host plants to produce caterpillars to feed their young), and negatively impacts all pollinators. It is a fact that is does not stay in your yard and will escape out into the general area. I am a Certified Master Gardener, and Native Plant Restoration Specialist. Please, do a bit more research before you decide to include this plant in your garden.
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