You may be wondering why I would mention this beautiful shrub at this cold, snowy time of year. Butterfly Bush has wonderful winter interest. The small, silvery gray-green leaves are usually preserved through these winter months. They are so different from the evergreen ‘greens’ you find that it is a welcome addition to any garden bed. Of course, the summer interest is unparalleled for attracting butterflies with its fragrant flowers. The lighter flower color, the more butterflies, bees & hummingbirds it will attract. Plant buddleia where you can really enjoy the heady fragrance & see all the bird & insect activity. This shrub is easy to grow in full sun but will tolerate some shade. It is hardy to zone 5 & comes in colors ranging from white to pinks, lavenders & even yellow. If you choose, when spring comes you can prune leaving one third of the bush behind. It will grow quickly & tolerates dry conditions. It can grow 5’ to 8’ with a similar spread depending on the variety. The bloom time is long, from summer through fall. The blooms make wonderful cut flowers. If you deadhead as the blooming season goes on, it will help prolong bloom time & tidy up the shrub. It looks wonderful as a backdrop to a perennial garden or as a stand-alone specimen. Plant in the spring & enjoy!
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