Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii
Also listed as Buddleja shaanxiensis, Buddleja shimidzuana
Also known as Orange-eye Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac, David's Buddleja
Climate Match for your location
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A vigorous deciduous shrub prized for its long spikes of fragrant flowers in shades of purple, pink, white, or blue that attract butterflies and other pollinators. It blooms prolifically from midsummer through fall and thrives in hot, dry locations.
Why grow it
Butterfly bush produces abundant, long-flowering spikes over an extended season (midsummer through fall) and tolerates hot, dry conditions that challenge many ornamental shrubs, making it useful for xeric or neglected garden spaces. Compared to other butterfly-attracting shrubs, it offers sustained bloom and minimal fertility requirements, though gardeners seeking native alternatives may consider native clethra, vitex, or local lilac species depending on region.
Watch out for
Butterfly bush self-seeds readily and seedlings can establish in disturbed areas or garden margins; deadheading spent flowers reduces volunteer seedlings. In cooler climates, winter dieback may be severe, requiring annual cutting back to encourage strong regrowth from the base.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Scrophulariaceae
Native Range
Central and western China
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Black Knight' and 'Royal Purple' are among the most popular, selected for deep purple-violet flowers. 'White Profusion' and 'Peace' offer white blooms for a softer aesthetic.
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A vigorous deciduous shrub prized for its long spikes of fragrant flowers in shades of purple, pink, white, or blue that attract butterflies and other pollinators. It blooms prolifically from midsummer through fall and thrives in hot, dry locations.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Butterfly Bush grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Butterfly bush produces abundant, long-flowering spikes over an extended season (midsummer through fall) and tolerates hot, dry conditions that challenge many ornamental shrubs, making it useful for xeric or neglected garden spaces. Compared to other butterfly-attracting shrubs, it offers sustained bloom and minimal fertility requirements, though gardeners seeking native alternatives may consider native clethra, vitex, or local lilac species depending on region.
Watch out for
Butterfly bush self-seeds readily and seedlings can establish in disturbed areas or garden margins; deadheading spent flowers reduces volunteer seedlings. In cooler climates, winter dieback may be severe, requiring annual cutting back to encourage strong regrowth from the base.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Scrophulariaceae
Native Range
Central and western China
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Black Knight' and 'Royal Purple' are among the most popular, selected for deep purple-violet flowers. 'White Profusion' and 'Peace' offer white blooms for a softer aesthetic.