Butterfly Bushes (Buddleia Davidii)
The Butterfly bush (Buddleia Davidii) is a beautiful, fast-growing, deciduous shrub with masses of blossoms and long, spiked trusses. They bloom in spring and summer, the naturally attractive shape of the shrub and evergreen foliage keep the bush interesting, even when it is not in bloom.
Commonly known as butterfly bush, the flowers have a honey-like fragrance and are rich in nectar.
Of all South Florida's butterfly garden plants, buddleia - or "Butterfly Bush" - is one of the best for attracting many different kinds of butterflies.
Its flowers come in many colors, though butterflies seem to prefer the lavender-pink (mauve) of the species to the white and dark purple cultivars.
Butterfly bushes are hardy to Zone 5 and remain evergreen from Zone 8 south. The shrub is low-maintenance, only requiring dead-heading and annual pruning in later winter to encourage flowers and a compact shape.
This plant grows fast but can be regularly trimmed to keep it 4 or 5 feet tall. Butterfly bushes can grow from 6 to 12 feet tall with a spread of 4 to 15 feet.
Buddleias need full sun and fertile, well-drained soil.
