- Butterfly bushes produce long, arching canes covered with green to gray-green leaves. The canes reach 4 to 10 feet long in a season and are tipped with flower spikes, groups of individual flowers that form panicles. Each individual flower is tube-shaped and filled with nectar. Butterflies sip the nectar through their proboscis, a tubular mouthpart used as a drinking tube. The flower clusters are big enough for butterflies to land while they sip the nectar. Flowers are typically shades of purple, but may be white, yellow, pink, blue or other hues. The flowering season is long, with blossoms lasting through summer and into autumn.
- Butterfly bushes require little care other than annual pruning and light application of a balanced fertilizer. Once established, their water requirements are low, and they flourish in full sun to partial shade. These shrubs grow in a wide range of soils and partner well with other plants. They need room for their willowy canes to fan out. Wind can damage canes and they benefit from some sheltering in wind-exposed areas.
- Flowers bloom on new wood. They flower most prolifically if old canes die back or are pruned off before spring. The canes naturally die back in harsh winters and may freeze to the ground. New canes sprout from the roots after danger of frost passes. In milder climates, the canes are cut back to about 1 foot in height. Shear the new foliage and canes lightly in late spring to encourage dense, branching foliage that produces more flowers. Deadhead the flowers throughout the growing season for continued blooming. Avoid applying pesticides that may harm butterflies or bees on the flowering plants.
- Butterflies feed on a liquid diet and flock to flowering, nectar-producing plants such as butterfly bushes. A garden rich in flowering plants attracts butterflies, hummers and other pollinators from early spring through the first frost. Use butterfly bushes as background or focal plants, filling around them with marigolds, pansies, asters and daisies. Add herbal shrubs like lavender and rosemary for early season flowers that feed butterflies before butterfly bushes bloom. In xeriscape or dry landscapes, use gazania, lantana or bottle brush plants. Choose wildflower blends, suited to your climate, for a full range of mixed flowers that yield nectar and reseed freely.
- In some areas, butterfly bushes are invasive. They seed freely and may crowd out native plants. Minimize problems by cutting off spent flowers. This deadheading encourages more blooms and minimizes seed production. Pull up any unwanted seedlings.