The Ultimate Guide To Types Of Butterfly Bushes

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Butterfly Bushes

Butterfly bushes (Buddleja) are a popular choice for gardeners who want to attract butterflies to their yard. These shrubs are known for their long, showy blooms that come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, white, and yellow. Butterfly bushes are also relatively easy to care for, making them a good choice for even novice gardeners.

If you're thinking about adding a butterfly bush to your garden, there are a few things you need to know about the different types available. In this guide, we'll take a look at some of the most popular butterfly bush varieties, as well as their size, color, and hardiness zones. We'll also discuss how to choose the right butterfly bush for your needs and how to care for it properly.

Types of Butterfly Bushes

There are over 140 species of butterfly bush, but only a few are commonly cultivated. The most popular type of butterfly bush is Buddleja davidii, which is native to China. Buddleja davidii is known for its large, fragrant blooms that can reach up to 6 feet in length. This type of butterfly bush is hardy in USDA zones 5-9.

Another popular type of butterfly bush is Buddleja alternifolia, which is native to Japan. Buddleja alternifolia is smaller than Buddleja davidii, growing only 3-4 feet tall. This type of butterfly bush has smaller flowers, but they are just as fragrant. Buddleja alternifolia is hardy in USDA zones 5-8.

If you're looking for a butterfly bush that is deer-resistant, Buddleja globosa is a good option. This type of butterfly bush is native to South Africa and grows 4-6 feet tall. The flowers of Buddleja globosa are not as showy as those of other butterfly bushes, but they are still attractive to butterflies. Buddleja globosa is hardy in USDA zones 7-9.

Choosing the Right Butterfly Bush

When choosing a butterfly bush, there are a few factors you need to consider, including size, color, and hardiness zone. If you have a small yard, you'll want to choose a dwarf variety of butterfly bush, such as Buddleja davidii 'Nanho Purple' or Buddleja alternifolia 'Blue Chip.' If you have a larger yard, you can choose a larger variety, such as Buddleja davidii 'Black Knight' or Buddleja alternifolia 'White Profusion.'

You also need to consider the color of butterfly bush you want. Butterfly bushes come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, white, yellow, and orange. Choose a color that will complement the other plants in your garden.

Finally, you need to consider the hardiness zone of the butterfly bush you want to plant. Butterfly bushes are hardy in USDA zones 5-9. If you live in a colder climate, you'll need to choose a butterfly bush that is hardy in your zone.

Caring for Butterfly Bushes

Butterfly bushes are relatively easy to care for. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Butterfly bushes should be watered regularly, especially during the first year after planting. They should also be fertilized in the spring and summer.

In the fall, you can deadhead spent blooms to encourage new growth. You can also prune butterfly bushes in the spring to shape them and remove any dead or damaged branches.

With proper care, butterfly bushes can live for many years. They are a beautiful and easy-to-care-for addition to any garden.

Conclusion

Butterfly bushes are a great way to attract butterflies to your yard. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can find one that is perfect for your space. Butterfly bushes are also relatively easy to care for, making them a good choice for even novice gardeners.

If you're looking for a beautiful and easy-to-care-for plant that will attract butterflies to your yard, a butterfly bush is a great option.

Butterfly bushes are a popular choice for gardeners who want to attract butterflies to their yard. These bushes produce large, fragrant flowers that are a favorite nectar source for butterflies of all kinds. There are many different types of butterfly bushes available, each with its own unique characteristics.

If you're not sure which type of butterfly bush is right for you, I recommend visiting Garden Wiki. This website has a comprehensive list of butterfly bush varieties, along with information on their size, color, hardiness, and other important factors. You can also find tips on how to plant and care for butterfly bushes, as well as photos of different varieties in bloom.

I hope this helps!

FAQ of types of butterfly bushes

1. What are the different types of butterfly bushes?

There are over 100 different species of butterfly bushes, but the most common ones include:

• Buddleia davidii is the most popular type of butterfly bush. It grows up to 10 feet tall and has lavender, pink, or white flowers.
• Buddleia alternifolia is a smaller type of butterfly bush that grows up to 6 feet tall. It has white flowers that bloom in the summer.
• Buddleia nitida is a drought-tolerant type of butterfly bush that grows up to 8 feet tall. It has purple flowers that bloom in the summer.
• Buddleia globosa is a rounded type of butterfly bush that grows up to 4 feet tall. It has pink or purple flowers that bloom in the summer.
• Buddleia x weyeriana is a hybrid type of butterfly bush that grows up to 8 feet tall. It has purple, pink, or white flowers that bloom in the summer.

2. Which butterfly bush do butterflies like best?

Butterflies are attracted to all types of butterfly bushes, but they seem to prefer the ones with the strongest fragrance, such as Buddleia davidii and Buddleia globosa.

3. How to care for butterfly bushes?

Butterfly bushes are relatively easy to care for. They need full sun and well-drained soil. They should be watered regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. They can be pruned in the spring to shape them and remove dead or damaged branches.

4. Are butterfly bushes invasive?

Some types of butterfly bushes, such as Buddleia davidii, can be invasive in some areas. This is because they can spread quickly by seed and can outcompete native plants. If you are concerned about invasive butterfly bushes, you should choose a different type of butterfly bush or plant it in a container.

5. How to attract butterflies to butterfly bushes?

To attract butterflies to butterfly bushes, you can plant them in a sunny spot in your garden. You can also add some nectar-rich flowers nearby, such as zinnias, marigolds, and cosmos. You can also provide a water source for butterflies, such as a birdbath or shallow dish of water.

Image of types of butterfly bushes

Bluebeard Butterfly Bush is a compact variety that grows up to 4 feet tall and wide. It blooms in late summer and fall with clusters of blue flowers.

• Butterfly Bush 'Butterfly Kisses' is a larger variety that grows up to 6 feet tall and wide. It blooms in late summer and fall with clusters of pink and white flowers.
• Butterfly Bush 'Incrediball' is a dwarf variety that grows up to 3 feet tall and wide. It blooms in late summer and fall with clusters of bright red flowers.
• Butterfly Bush 'Royal Purple' is a tall variety that grows up to 8 feet tall and wide. It blooms in late summer and fall with clusters of deep purple flowers.
• Butterfly Bush 'Snowfall' is a white variety that grows up to 5 feet tall and wide. It blooms in late summer and fall with clusters of white flowers.