What are Butterfly Bushes? Botanically known as Buddleia
Buddleja
Buddleja, or Buddleia, commonly known as the butterfly bush, is a genus comprising over 140 species of flowering plants endemic to Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The generic name bestowed by Linnaeus posthumously honoured the Reverend Adam Buddle, an English botanist a…
How big do blue butterfly bushes get?
Mar 18, 2021 · How big do butterfly bushes get? These large shrubs range from 5 to 8 feet tall and just as wide once they reach maturity. If you're looking for a smaller butterfly bush size, try a dwarf variety, which are in the 2 to 3-foot range.
What does a butterfly bush look like in summer?
How big does a butterfly bush get? 6 to 12 feet tall. Click to see full answer. Similarly, how fast do butterfly bushes grow? The fast-growing butterfly bush reaches a mature height of 6 to 10 feet tall in one or two growing seasons. The cone or wand-shaped flower heads grow 5 to 12 inches long and bloom from summer through fall.
How long does it take a butterfly bush to grow?
16 rows · Nov 10, 2018 · Butterfly Bush in Ornamental Gardening: Uses and Benefits. Though some varieties can grow up to 12 ...
What is the largest dwarf butterfly bush?
Nov 15, 2021 · Butterfly bushes grow from 6 to 12 feet (2-4 m.) tall with a spread of 4 to 15 feet (1-4.5 m.). NOTE: Butterfly bush is considered an invasive plant in many regions. Check with your local extension office prior to planting to ensure that the plant is permitted in your area.
See more
Feb 21, 2022 · How big do butterfly bushes get? The growth of the butterfly bush all depends on the species that you have. For example, a dwarf butterfly bush can grow up to 28-inches tall.
Where is the best place to plant a butterfly bush?
How tall and wide does a butterfly bush get?
Do butterfly bushes grow fast?
Does a butterfly bush come back every year?
Why you should never plant a butterfly bush?
What is the lifespan of a butterfly bush?
Its popularity has real reasons: the plant grows fast, flowers very early on in its life cycle, and produces flowers throughout its life span of up to 30 years. The flowers smell good, are very showy and pretty, with large clusters that bloom for several days.Sep 14, 2020
Do butterfly bushes attract mosquitoes?
Should butterfly bushes be trimmed back?
Can I plant butterfly bush in a container?
What happens if you don't prune butterfly bushes?
What's eating my butterfly bush?
How do you winterize a butterfly bush?
How much sun does a butterfly bush need?
Butterfly bush need full sun. When we say full sun, we mean it – butterfly bush require a minimum of 8 hours of bright sunlight. Even in warm climates, plant them where they get no fewer than 6 hours of sun.
How tall do buddleias grow?
Most shrubs in the genus Buddleia grow to around 6 feet tall, although some will grow a few feet taller given the right circumstances. Dwarf versions are typically 2- to 3-feet tall and wide, such as the Lo & Behold line.
Do butterfly bushes need full sun?
For best flower production, the planting site for your butterfly bush should receive full sun.
What is a butterfly bush?
Butterfly bush ( Buddleja davidii – often spelled Buddleia) is a favorite shrub of many gardeners because of its colorful flowers and ability to attract a variety of beneficial insects. As the name implies, the shrub is particularly attractive to butterflies. Native to China, it is adapted to all regions of South Carolina; however, ...
When do butterfly bushes bloom?
Landscape Use. Butterfly bushes form the foundation for numerous butterfly gardens and are prized for their long, summer bloom period. Many cultivars will flower from June through October (if deadheaded) with peak bloom in July and August.
What is the difference between a sageleaf butterfly bush and a bicolor butterfly bush?
Large Cultivars (greater than 6 feet tall): Soft, felted leaves of sageleaf butterfly bush. ‘Attraction’ has magenta, nearly red flowers with attractive foliage. ‘Bicolor’ ( B. x Weyeriana) has lavender flower buds that open to a peachy-pink with a yellow cast as they age.
What is the name of the plant with white flowers?
Flower heads are white to lavender and 6 to 8 inches long. ‘Alba ’, the most commonly seen cultivar, is more compact than the species, with white flowers. Sageleaf Butterfly Bush ( Buddleja salviifolia ): This species is grown primarily for its foliage. It has highly textured leaves that are coppery-green.
What is a Lindley's butterfly bush?
Lindley’s Butterfly Bush ( Buddleja Lindleyana ): This butterfly bush has small dark green leaves and lavender-purple flowers. It is a smaller shrub (4-5 feet) with gracefully arching branches and fragrant panicles. This species will spread by suckers to colonize large areas.
What is the best soil for butterfly bushes?
Full sun is needed to ensure adequate flowering, and they prefer a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Like most shrubs, they benefit from a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch. Once established they are fairly drought tolerant and only require moderate fertilization.
How tall does a sage bush get?
This deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub typically grows from 6 to 10 feet tall by 4 to 10 feet wide with a rather open, arching form. Their stems are square in cross-section, and young shoots are covered by dense, white hairs.
How big do wooly butterfly bush flowers get?
Wooly Butterfly Bush ( Buddleja marrubiifolia) Yet another species in the genus, it produces globule-shaped flowerheads, about ½ inch in diameter, with the plant growing up to 5 feet. Hardiness Zone: 7.
What is a butterfly bush?
Butterfly bush ( Buddleja/Buddleia) is a genus of hardy flowering plants that produce appealing fragrant flower heads known for attracting butterflies and other insects. Despite being considered invasive by many ecologists, their striking appearance has helped them maintain their popularity in ornamental gardening.
What are the bugs that eat butterfly bush?
Despite having a good resistance against most bugs, the plant can be susceptible to conditions like downy mildew (fungal disease), and spider mites. Aphids, wasps, and flies may also infest a butterfly bush.
How tall are yellow orange flowers?
With striking yellow-orange fragrant flowers, these 5-6 feet high plants are suitable for large gardens but do not survive in wet, cold conditions
How tall is a sage plant?
A relatively new variety, 4-5 feet high when mature, it is ideal for mixed borders and small gardens, also suitable to be grown in containers
How tall is a dwarf sage?
A dwarf variety (2-3 feet), it has a compact appearance with sturdy branches that can survive cold weathers better than most other short varieties; considered non-invasive
How tall do purple haze plants grow?
Produces relatively shorter, and one of the darkest shades of flowerheads, with the plants growing up to 15 feet in height. Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9. 2. ‘Purple Haze’. Short bushy plants of 3-4 feet, these are suitable for hedges, ground covers, and indoor planting. Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9.
How big do butterfly bushes get?
Butterfly bushes grow from 6 to 12 feet (2-4 m.) tall with a spread of 4 to 15 feet (1-4.5 m.).
What is a butterfly bush?
Butterfly bushes ( Buddleia davidii) are grown for their long panicles of colorful flowers and their ability to attract butterflies and beneficial insects.
Why are my butterfly bushes yellow?
Planting the shrub in well-drained soil usually eliminates the chances of root rot. The symptoms are yellowing leaves, and in severe cases, twig or stem dieback.
What do Japanese beetles eat?
Japanese beetles sometimes feed on butterfly bushes. Using insecticides to control Japanese beetles is usually ineffective, and more likely to destroy the abundance of beneficial insects attracted to the shrub than the beetles. Use traps and handpick the insects, and treat the lawn for grubs, which are the larval form of Japanese beetles.
Is butterfly bush an invasive plant?
NOTE: Butterfly bush is considered an invasive plant in many regions. Check with your local extension office prior to planting to ensure that the plant is permitted in your area.
Can caterpillars be left alone?
In most cases the damage is minimal and you will have to stand close to the shrub to notice it. It’s best to leave the caterpillars alone unless their feeding activity does substantial damage to the shrub. Japanese beetles sometimes feed on butterfly bushes.
What are Butterfly Bushes?
Botanically known as Buddleia davidii, this species is a fast-growing evergreen perennial shrub that can grow up to 24 inches tall or up to ten feet with an arching shape. The young stem is furry, while the leaves are velvety when touched. The coloration of foliage varies from dark green to silver/gray or grayish-green.
Dwarf Butterfly Bush Care
No matter what environmental conditions you live in, you can grow butterfly bush. The only thing that will kill the non-invasive butterfly bushes is the lack of sun or soggy soil. Another fantastic thing is developing the dwarf butterfly bushes as indoor plants.
Dwarf Butterfly Bush Varieties
The butterfly weed is a plant that many people get confused with the butterfly bush. While both grow fast, the butterfly weed has a flat-topped flower cluster in yellow to orange colors. Furthermore, it matures slowly while producing a lot of blooms compared to butterfly bushes.
Dwarf Butterfly Bush Diseases & Pests
During the growth stages of summer lilacs, you may encounter a few problems. As with most vegetation you need to keep an eye out for:
When does the butterfly bush bloom?
Bloom season begins in the early spring and lasts through the seasons first frost. The flower it produces is fragrant which attracts pollinators. It reaches a height of twenty-four inches. This butterfly bush has a spread of up to thirty-six inches.
What is a Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush?
The Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush is a dwarf compact butterfly bush that packs a full-size punch. It has full flowers for such a compact plant. The bloom season is long and continuous. It is sturdy and made to survive colder climates. It is drought tolerant, and resistant to deer. It attracts pollinators with its fragrant flowers.
How much sun does a pugster butterfly need?
Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush Care. This is a sun loving plant. It needs to be planted in full sun and receive at minimum six hours of sun per day. It has average water needs.
Where do butterfly bush plants spread?
Beyond backyards, the plants spread to important ecosystems and protected areas. There's clear documentation of aggressive butterfly bush invasions in wildlife habitats.
What do butterflies eat?
These insects also require proper host plants so they can reproduce. Their larval offspring have to feed on the leaves of native species like butterfly weed , other milkweeds, joe-pye weed, and oak trees.
How many caterpillars do chickadees need?
For instance, if you want chickadees to breed in your yard, you need plants that can support the 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars the birds need during the 16 days they feed their young. "If you don't have that, the plant-caterpillar-chickadee food web stops," Tallamy explains.
Is butterfly bush invasive?
Butterfly bush is an invasive plant, meaning it crowds out beneficial plants that have naturally grown in your community for centuries. This species originally from Asia readily takes over space where native North American plants would normally thrive. In fact, Buddleja davidii (the scientific name for butterfly bush) has certain traits that make it invasive in most environments.
Do butterfly bush plants help butterflies?
Butterfly Bush Doesn't Really Benefit Butterflies. There's no denying that butterfly bush's long, narrow tufts of flowers look beautiful. And like many flowering plants, it supplies lots of nectar. But when it's the only species you grow for butterflies, you're not going to have butterflies anymore, Tallamy warns.
What zone does a butterfly bush grow in?
It grows as a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 11, depending on butterfly bush varieties, species and cultivars as noted by the Missouri Botanical Garden.
How much soil do you need for a butterfly bush?
Butterfly Bush Soil Requirements. For the best growth and flowering, butterfly bushes need moist, well-draining soil. You can create this by mixing 4 inches of well-aged compost into the top 12 inches of soil before planting your butterfly bush.
What butterfly bush is invasive?
Some butterfly bush species, such as Buddleja davidii (USDA zones 5 through 9), have invasive tendencies and are described as being "weedy" by North Carolina State Extension because of their prolific re-seeding. Other types are noted by the Missouri Botanical Garden as sterile butterfly bush cultivars, including Buddleja 'Bicolor' and Buddleja x weyeriana 'Honeycomb." These selections typically produce no (or few) viable seeds, which make them more well-behaved in the landscape. Honeycomb and Bicolor butterfly bush care is the same as for other Buddleja species and cultivars.
Why do butterfly bush leaves irritate?
The butterfly bush produces sap in its leaves that may irritate the skin, especially for people who have sensitive skin. Consider planting the bush away from walkways and seating areas to minimize the risk of people coming in contact with the foliage.
Can you remove a butterfly bush?
Once you've planted a butterfly bush, it is difficult to remove because any fallen seeds or cut stems can sprout and turn into new plants. When selecting a planting site, consider it a permanent planting spot. It should be an area in which you're comfortable having the butterfly bush for many years.
Can a butterfly bush be planted without pruning?
Additionally, without regular pruning, the butterfly bush can take on an uneven, unkempt appearance. For aesthetic purposes, consider grouping the shrub with other plants that take on a loose, free form, such as ornamental grasses and vines.
Do butterfly bushes need sun?
Butterfly Bush Sun Requirements. Like many perennials, butterfly bushes are versatile when it comes to sun preference and can grow in partial shade to full sun. But the more shade the plant receives, the fewer of its trademark flowers it produces.
Mature Height/Spread
Landscape Use
- Butterfly bushes form the foundation for numerous butterfly gardens and are prized for their long, summer bloom period. Many cultivars will flower from June through October (if deadheaded) with peak bloom in July and August. They produce 5- to 12-inch-long panicles (i.e. long, slender flower clusters) in white, blue, lavender, pink, purple, yellow and many intermediate shades. The flower…
Cultivation
- Butterfly bushes are amazingly tough plants and grow well under a variety of conditions. The one critical requirement is well-drained soil as their roots will quickly rot when waterlogged. Full sun is needed to ensure adequate flowering, and they prefer a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Like most shrubs, they benefit from a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch. Once established they are fairly drought t…
Problems
- Butterfly bushes are relatively trouble free when the proper conditions are provided. However, spider mites can be a problem when the plants are drought stressed. Nematodes are also a problem, particularly in the sandy soils of the coastal plain. Downy mildew, caused by the fungus Peronospora hariotii, may occur during cooler temperatures with extended leaf wetness on Bud…
Cultivars
- There are an overwhelming number of cultivars available and also a number of related species and hybrids. The list below contains some of the most commonly available cultivars. It is advisable to buy from reputable nurseries as plants of his species are often mislabeled.
Related Species
- Buddleja fallowiana:This is one of the best butterfly bushes for foliage interest. The leaves are 2 to 4 inches long and heavily felted, giving a decidedly silver-gray overall appearance. Plants can reach 10 to 15 feet tall, but can easily be maintained lower. Flower heads are white to lavender and 6 to 8 inches long. ‘Alba’, the most commonly seen cultivar, is more compact than the speci…