This perennial plant is native to China and is also called Buddleja/Buddleia. It includes over 100 species and cultivars. Also called summer lilac, the medium- to large-sized shrubs can anchor a perennial bed or form a hedge.

 

The clusters of tiny flowers form atop spikes sometimes reaching 15' tall. The fragrant flowers may be purple, pink, blue, white, or red. The flowers are produced in dense panicles 10-50 cm long; each individual flower is tubular, about 1 cm long, with the corolla divided into four spreading lobes (petals), about 3-4 mm across.

 

The leaves are long and course and arranged in opposite pairs on the stems. They range from 1-30 cm long. The fruit is a small capsule about 1 cm long and 1-2 mm diameter, containing numerous small seeds; in a few species.

 

Butterfly Bush has a prime place in hummingbird gardens. It's a magnet for all the butterflies that pass through the garden. It is not only the many colors Butterfly Bushes produce, that butterflies and humans enjoy but also the heady honey-like aroma.  Each tiny flower has a nectar filled tube which is just right for butterflies and hummingbirds, and ultimately, us. Another reason for Buddleia's popularity is that it's easy to grow, even hard to kill.

 

Good drainage is important for Butterfly Bushes but rich soil is not necessary. The butterfly bush will grow in almost any soil. A 2 3/4 inch pot placed in the ground in early spring will grow to 3 or 4 feet in one year, and as much as 8-10 feet the following year. This fast growth makes these shrubs perfect for naturalizing vast areas or covering hill sides.

 

They also make quick beautiful covers for fences or buildings, providing quick shade for hot summer spots in the landscape. Plant them in full sun or light shade. It needs a light application of fertilizer in spring. The blossoms appear in late summer. It's generally pest-free, except for spider mite infestations during drought or stress.

 

Did you know?

 

• The plant was named after the Reverend Adam Buddle who was a botanist and a rector in Essex, England.
• The most popular cultivated species is Buddleja davidii from central China, named after the French naturalist Père Armand David.