10 Types of Butterfly Bushes That Attract Pollinators

Butterfly on butterfly bush — Photo:
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There are a handful of reasons to grow butterfly bushes (Buddleja davidii) in your garden. The deciduous shrub is defined by its arching flowers that arise in summer, providing structure, fragrance, and color in the landscape. In addition to how eye-catching the plant is, butterfly bush also has many practical benefits—it's beloved by pollinators, has a long lasting bloom season, and emits a scent that deters deer. There are many cultivars of butterfly bush to choose from and each has its own unique characteristics. To help you choose one for your landscape, we asked experts to reveal the best butterfly bushes to grow either in the ground in or in containers.

01 of 10

Dapper White Butterfly Bush

Plant Dapper White butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii 'Dapconwhi') in your yard and watch as hummingbirds and butterflies flock to it. "A rounded, compact habit makes this buddleia a perfect fit for a variety of uses," says Heidi Mortensen, brand manager for Bloomables. "White flowers are formed in early summer and continue to re-bloom into the fall. Spent flowers are hidden by new blooms, reducing the need for deadheading."

Growing zone: 5 to 9
Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

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02 of 10

CranRazz Butterfly Bush

An upright grower, CranRazz butterfly bush (Buddleia hybrid 'Boscranz') will fill your landscape with show-stopping color. "Extremely free-flowering, this plant blooms from spring until mid-fall," says Mortensen. "Panicles grow an amazing 8 inches long and attract butterflies and hummingbirds."

Growing zone: 5 to 10
Mature size: 5 to 6 feet tall x 5 feet wide
Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

03 of 10

Miss Molly Butterfly Bush

With an ever-changing blend of red, magenta, and burgundy, Miss Molly butterfly bush (Buddleia 'Miss Molly') blooms in midsummer and continues until frost arrives. "Miss Molly grows quickly and needs very little care to continue flowering year after year," says Kelly Funk, president Jackson & Perkins. "Cut it down to about one-third of its original height in late winter and early spring to improve branching and flower production and let it go."

Growing zone: 5 to 9
Mature size: 5 feet tall x 5 to 6 feet wide
Growing conditions: Full sun; clay, loamy, sandy, well-drained

04 of 10

Ultra Violet Butterfly Bush

This heat-tolerant flowering shrub has a compact growth habit and is water-wise once established. "With Ultra Violet butterfly bush (Buddleia Hybrid 'PDSI-1'), pollinator enthusiasts can incorporate a butterfly bush into tight spaces that previously weren’t accessible," says Janet Sluis, plant expert for the Sunset Plant Collection.

Growing zone: 5 to 9
Mature size: 4 to 5 feet tall x 3 feet wide
Growing conditions: Full sun; clay, well-drained soil

05 of 10

Butterfly Towers Magenta Butterfly Bush

Butterfly Magenta Bush — Southern Living Plant Collection

Butterfly Towers Magenta Buddleia (Buddleia davidii ‘Tobud1305’) is a unique vertical growing butterfly bush variety with vibrant magenta flowers. "This butterfly bush is easy to care for and has an attractive vertical growth habit," says Linda Vater, plant expert for the Southern Living Plant Collection. "It's a perfect silhouette for hedges, screens, or a focal point in an area. The panicles of sweet-smelling blooms also make a lovely cut flower."

Growing zone: 5 to 10
Mature size: 4 to 5 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soil

06 of 10

Lil’ Taffy Butterfly Bush

Add color to your garden with Lil' Taffy butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii ‘BotEx 005’ PP34703), which is part of a new group of butterfly bush varieties that flower from summer through fall. "These new varieties set themselves apart from other butterfly bushes with their tidy, compact growth habit, and complete palette of jewel-toned hues," says Kip McConnell, plant expert from Plant Development Services, the introducers of Butterfly Candy.

Growing zone: 5 to 10
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

07 of 10

Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush

Miss Ruby butterfly bush (Buddleia x 'Miss Ruby') has blue-green leaves that give rise to ruby red flowers from the end of May to the first frost. "The ruby red flowers are held on 4- to 6-inch panicles and cover the plants from head to toe," says Adrienne Roethling, garden director for Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden.

Growing zone: 5 to 9
Mature size: 3 feet tall x 2 feet wide
Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

08 of 10

Summer Skies Butterfly Bush

Variegated plants are a wonderful way to add more interest to your landscape, and Summer Skies butterfly bush (Buddleia x 'Summer Skies') rings true to that statement. The cultivar has subtle green and creamy margined leaves, which stay variegated all summer long. "Lavender blue spikes of flowers await the butterflies all summer," says Roethling.

Growing zone: 5 to 9
Mature size: 5 feet tall x 5 feet wide
Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

09 of 10

Purple Haze Butterfly Bush

Part of a series of butterfly bushes with short growing habits, Purple Haze (Buddleia x 'Purple Haze') was one of the first of its kind to hit the market. "Blue-green leaves emerge from bare stems in spring giving rise to pale purple, arching flowers," says Roethling. "This one has more of a loose habit overall."

Growing zone: 5 to 9
Mature size: 4 feet tall x 4 feet wide
Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

10 of 10

Grand Cascade Butterfly Bush

By early June, large panicles with an arching habit form all over Grand Cascade butterfly bush (Buddleia 'Grand Cascade'). Though the plant can survive with minimal watering once established, during periods of drought it should be watered as it may become prone to spider mites, says Roethling.