The Butterfly bush is one of the most appealing choices for our gardens and landscapes when we want to attract butterflies. A wide range of cultivars are available from nurseries that provide white, blue, pink, magenta and purple flower colors and both standard and compact sizes. Most grow with an upright and arching branch habit and have pale green leaves with whitish undersides. Standard size plants can reach 10-12 ft. tall and as wide. Long panicles of colorful flowers occur in spring for an attractive garden display.
Butterfly bush is well adapted to conditions within the Inland Empire. Plant in full sun on loam-type soils and sustain with moderate amounts of supplemental water. It grows well on slopes, in raised planters and mixed in with other flowering shrubs and perennials. Some of the cultivars that can be found in nurseries and garden centers include: B.d. ‘Alba’ is a standard size plant with clear white flowers, B.d. ‘Black Knight’ grows 6-8 ft. high and 6-8 in. long upright panicles of dark purple flowers; B.d. ‘Harlequin’ is a smaller selection, 5-7 ft. high with magenta flowers.
