Butterfly Bushes

About the Plants

Calibrachoa, or Million Bells, resemble miniature petunias and are available in many unusual shades and blends. Plant them in full sun for abundant flowers from spring to frost.

Mulch blueberry plants with aged sawdust and feed with cottonseed meal or an acid fertilizer.

Consider growing extra vegetables in your garden to donate to the Willits Food Bank this summer. Set out zinnias, cosmos, impatiens, and begonias for vibrant summer-long flowers.

Star jasmine is an evergreen vine that thrives in partial shade, filling the June air with its sweet fragrance.

Butterfly Bushes (Buddleias)

Buddleias, commonly known as butterfly bushes, are excellent shrubs for attracting butterflies to your garden. They feature large, fragrant, colorful flowers that draw a variety of butterflies, including monarchs, swallowtails, and fritillaries. Hummingbirds are also frequent visitors.

These plants bloom throughout the summer, earning them the nickname "summer lilac." They are versatile and can be used in perennial or mixed borders, small gardens, or large containers. Larger varieties, growing 8-12 feet tall, work well as background plants or in tall shrub borders.

Growing Conditions

Buddleias are forgiving and adaptable. They thrive in almost any well-drained soil and tolerate considerable drought. While they flower best in full sun, they will also bloom in light or filtered shade.

Standard Buddleias grow as wide-spreading, open shrubs, producing 6-8 inch long flower clusters at the ends of branches from July until frost. Colors range from true pink ('Pink Delight') to wine-purple ('Royal Red') and dark purple ('Black Knight'). The variety 'Harlequin' features bright, variegated leaves and reddish-purple flower spikes, growing 6-7 feet tall.

Butterfly bushes may appear unruly, making them less suitable for formal gardens, but they are a wonderful addition to casual landscapes. They are hardy, easy to grow, and can serve as a focal point in large open areas.

Dwarf Varieties

For smaller gardens, dwarf varieties are available. Buddleia davidii 'Nanho' grows only 6 feet tall with smaller leaves and flower clusters. The Buzz™ series reaches just 3-4 feet tall, making them ideal for containers. They bloom over a long season, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to patios or decks, and come in various shades of purple. Buddleia 'Dwarf Snappy Blue' grows 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide.

Additional Benefits

• Make excellent cut flowers
• Mostly allergy-free
• Drought-tolerant once established
• Deer-resistant
• Attract bees that pollinate other garden plants

Pruning and Maintenance

Buddleias bloom on new growth, so they can be pruned to control size and shape without affecting flowering. Deadheading throughout the summer encourages maximum bloom.

Note: Buddleia can sometimes be spelled Buddleja, but both are pronounced "BUD-lee-ah." While they can be invasive and reseed freely in some climates, they are not known to be invasive in California.

Butterfly Bush vs. Butterfly Weed

Avoid confusing butterfly bushes with butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Butterfly weed is a type of milkweed that serves as a host for monarch butterfly caterpillars and a nectar source. It is a perennial that dies back to the ground in winter.

Plant colorful Buddleias in your garden to enjoy the beautiful butterflies they attract.