Randy's Greenhouse - Butterfly Bush: Buddleia davidii - is called such because of the hordes of butterflies and bees that are attracted to its flowers.

Butterfly Bush: Buddleia davidii : Pink - Purple - White


Is commonly called butterfly bush because of the hordes of butterflies (and bees) that are attracted to its wonderfully fragrant flowers. A less frequently used common name is summer lilac, recognizing the spikes of lilac-colored flowers. An orange throat adds a special pizazz to the flowers. Although the flowers do not last as long as anyone would like them to, they are delightful when in bloom. Blossoms form on long spikes and open mid-summer to September depending on the variety. Flower color varies based on cultivar. 'Pink Delight,' a deep pink Dutch introduction with compact growth and gray-green foliage and 'Charming' with pink blossoms and orange throats provide a soft color in the garden. Other blossom colors include blue, lilac, mauve and reddish-purple to deep purple. The darkest purple is 'Black Knight.' The 'Petite Plum' blossom is reddish-purple with orange throat. Buddleias transplant easily, even in mid-summer. Best growth occurs in well-drained, fertile soils in full sun, although they also grow in the worst urban soil. They form arching shrubs from 5 to 10 feet tall. Buddleias are grown as an herbaceous perennial in Illinois. They generally die back to the ground each winter. Cutting them back to the ground each year maintains a neater habit. Since the flowers form on new wood which grows quickly each spring, this proves to be very acceptable to both gardeners and butterflies.