Butterfly Bush: Pollinator Highway
Buddleia davidii
Butterfly bush lives up to its name — fragrant purple, pink, or white panicles attract butterflies in clouds. Choose sterile varieties (Lo & Behold, Flutterby series) to avoid invasive reseeding in ecologically sensitive areas.
Sun
Full sun
Water
Low
Hardiness zones
5–9
Height
3–10 ft
Bloom time
Mid-summer to fall
Care & Growing Tips
Plant in well-drained soil in full sun. Cut back hard to 12 inches in early spring — blooms on new wood. Deadhead spent panicles to extend flowering. Choose sterile cultivars in regions where Buddleia is invasive.
Companion Plants
Design your butterfly bush garden
See butterfly bush in your own yard before you plant. Upload a photo to Arden and visualize complete garden designs featuring butterfly bush alongside companion plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 Is butterfly bush invasive?
Seeded varieties are invasive in the Pacific Northwest and parts of the East. Plant sterile cultivars like Lo & Behold, Flutterby, or Miss series — they set no viable seed and are sold in ecologically sensitive states. Check your state extension for local guidance.
Q2 When should I prune butterfly bush?
Early spring — cut back hard to 12 inches. Butterfly bush blooms on new wood, so hard pruning produces bushier plants with more flowers. Don't prune in fall; leave the stems for winter protection in zones 5–6.
Q3 Why is my butterfly bush not blooming?
Most likely: too much shade or too little pruning. Needs full sun (6+ hours) and aggressive spring pruning. Also: deadhead spent panicles through summer to keep new flowers coming — unpruned plants stop producing new blooms by August.