Butterfly Bush Varieties

If you want a garden full of color and life, choosing the right butterfly bush varieties is a perfect start. These shrubs are famous for their long, colorful blooms and, as the name suggests, for attracting butterflies by the dozen.

They’re generally easy to care for, but picking the right one for your space makes all the difference. Some stay compact for pots, while others become large, graceful fountain of flowers. This guide will help you select the best types for a vibrant, lively garden that hums with activity all season long.

The world of butterfly bush, or Buddleia, is surprisingly diverse. Modern breeding has produced plants in a range of sizes and colors, many of which are non-invasive. Here’s a look at some standout types to consider.

By Size: From Patio Pots to Garden Giants

Knowing how big a shrub will get is your first step. This prevents overcrowding and ensures each plant has enough room to thrive.

Dwarf/Compact Varieties: Ideal for containers, small borders, or front-of-bed planting. They typically stay under 3 feet tall and wide.
- ‘Lo & Behold’ Series: Ultra-compact and well-behaved. ‘Blue Chip’ offers true blue flowers, while ‘Pink Micro Chip’ is a soft pink.
- ‘Buzz’ Series: Slightly larger than the ‘Lo & Behold’ but still great for pots. ‘Buzz Magenta’ and ‘Buzz Ivory’ are popular, reliable choices.
Medium-Sized Varieties: These form the backbone of many shrub borders, reaching 4 to 6 feet.
- ‘Miss’ Series: Known for their vibrant, jewel-toned flowers. ‘Miss Molly’ is a rich magenta-red, and ‘Miss Ruby’ offers a clear, bright pink.
- ‘Asian Moon’: A award-winning variety with fragrant, deep purple flowers that are especially attractive to pollinators.
Large/Traditional Varieties: The classic butterfly bush form, arching to 6-8 feet or more. They make a dramatic statement.
- ‘Black Knight’: A classic with very dark, almost blackish-purple flower spikes.
- ‘Royal Red’: Known for its long, arching panicles of deep reddish-purple blooms.

By Flower Color: Painting Your Garden Palette

The color range is fantastic, allowing you to create specific garden moods or color schemes.

Purple & Blue Hues: The most common and often most fragrant. Ranges from pale lilac (‘Lilac Chip’) to intense violet (‘Blue Heaven’) to near-black (‘Black Knight’).
Pink & Red Tones: Adds warmth and vibrancy. ‘Miss Ruby’ is a hot pink, ‘Miss Molly’ is a deeper magenta, and ‘Hot Raspberry’ lives up to its name.
White & Yellow Shades: Creates a cooling, luminous effect. ‘White Profusion’ is a classic tall white. ‘Ivory’ offers soft, creamy flowers that glow at dusk.

Non-Invasive & Sterile Types: The Responsible Choice

Older butterfly bush varieties could self-seed aggressively in some regions. Newer, seed-sterile or low-fertility cultivars solve this problem. They produce little to no viable seed, so you get all the beauty without the worry.

Look for these improved types:

The ‘Lo & Behold’ and ‘Buzz’ series are generally sterile.
The ‘Miss’ series (like ‘Miss Molly’) are low-fertility.
‘Asian Moon’ is another excellent, non-invasive choice.

How to Plant and Care for Your Butterfly Bush

Getting your plant off to a good start ensures years of vibrant color. Follow these simple steps for success.

Planting in 5 Easy Steps

Pick the Spot: Choose a location with full sun—at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily. More sun equals more flowers.
Check the Soil: Well-draining soil is essential. They tolerate many soil types but hate soggy roots. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with compost.
Dig the Hole: Make it twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper.
Plant & Backfill: Place the plant in the hole, ensuring it sits level with the ground. Backfill with the native soil, gently firming it down.
Water Deeply: Give it a thorough soaking to settle the soil around the roots. Apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture.

Essential Ongoing Care

Butterfly bushes are low-maintenance once established. Here’s what they need:

Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, they are quite drought-tolerant. Water during prolonged dry spells for best flowering.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote leaves over flowers.
Pruning: This is key for a shapely plant and maximum blooms. In late winter or early spring, prune hard.
- For most varieties, cut the entire plant down to about 12-24 inches from the ground.
- This encourages strong new growth where the flowers will form.
Deadheading: Removing spent flower clusters encourages more blooms to form. Simply snip off the old flower spike just above a set of leaves.

Design Ideas for a Vibrant Garden

Butterfly bushes work in many garden styles. Here’s how to incorporate them for stunning effect.

The Pollinator Powerhouse: Group several butterfly bush varieties together with other pollinator favorites like coneflower, salvia, and lantana. This creates a magnet for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Back of the Border Anchor: Use a tall variety like ‘Black Knight’ as a dramatic backdrop in a mixed flower border. Its dark flowers make brighter plants in front pop.
Container Spotlight: A dwarf ‘Buzz’ or ‘Lo & Behold’ variety is perfect for a large patio pot. Pair it with trailing plants like sweet potato vine for a full, lush look.
Fragrance Garden: Plant a highly fragrant variety like ‘Asian Moon’ or a classic purple type near a seating area or garden path where you can enjoy its sweet scent.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even easy plants can have occasional problems. Here’s quick fixes for the most common ones.

Few or No Flowers: This is almost always due to not enough sun. They need full, direct sunlight to bloom profusely. Over-fertilizing with nitrogen can also limit flowering.
Leggy Growth: This means the plant is stretching for light. Ensure it’s in full sun. Also, remember to prune hard in spring to encourage bushy, compact growth from the base.
Powdery Mildew: A white, powdery fungus on leaves. Improve air circulation around the plant and avoid overhead watering. Many newer varieties have good resistance to this.

FAQ: Your Butterfly Bush Questions Answered

Are all butterfly bushes invasive?
No. Many modern cultivars are bred to be seed-sterile or have low fertility. Always check the plant tag for terms like “non-invasive” or “sterile.”

What is the best butterfly bush for a small space?
The dwarf ‘Lo & Behold’ series is excellent. ‘Blue Chip’ and ‘Pink Micro Chip’ stay very small and are ideal for containers or the front of a border.

When should I cut back my butterfly bush?
The best time is in late winter or very early spring, just before new growth begins. Don’t be afraid to cut it back hard to about a foot or two tall.

Why isn’t my butterfly bush attracting butterflies?
Butterflies need sun, shelter, and more than just one plant type. Ensure your bush is in full sun and plant it alongside other nectar-rich flowers. Also, avoid using pesticides in your garden.

Can I grow a butterfly bush in a pot?
Absolutely. Choose a compact variety and a large container with excellent drainage. Use a quality potting mix and water more frequently than plants in the ground.

Adding the right butterfly bush varieties to your garden is a sure way to boost its color and wildlife activity. By selecting a size and color that fits your space and following basic care tips, you’ll enjoy a spectacular, lively display from summer straight through to fall. The sight of butterflies fluttering among the blooms is a reward in itself, making your garden a true haven for nature.