Butterfly bush - planting and care

Plant guide

Butterfly bush is a highlight, no matter which garden it grows in. Not only are they beautiful and majestic bushes that can grow large and expansive, they also smell incredibly good. As the name suggests, butterfly bush has an attraction to butterflies that few other plants have.

Scientific name (Latin): Buddleja davidii

Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family)

Planting and care of butterfly bush

Butterfly bush belongs to the most sensitive type of Buddleja, meaning it needs a warm climate to thrive. For that reason, it is recommended to plant it in zone H1 to H2, but it can also work in zone H3 if the location is protected and warm.

• Soil – Butterfly bush prefers warm and well-drained soil, preferably planting soil. It thrives in slightly sandy and nutrient-rich soil.
• Placement – Butterfly bush thrives best in full sun.
• Fertilizer – Fertilize your butterfly bush regularly.
• Pruning – Pruning of the butterfly bush should be done in late winter or spring, cutting branches that have died in winter. It is better to cut too much rather than too little, ensuring you reach healthy branches.

Late summer practice with butterfly bush

If you are looking to extend the season with beautiful, blooming plants in the garden, butterfly bush is an excellent option, and for several reasons. It is a plant that works equally well as a solitary plant or in a mixed planting. A butterfly bush does not require much from you once it is planted, but proper care will ensure that the plant thrives in the garden. In July, August, and September, you can then enjoy both the visual and the wonderful scent of the flowers.

See our selection of butterfly bushes

Buddleja davidii BUZZ MIDNIGHT 5L

Buddleja davidii (Buzz-Serien) BUZZ MIDNIGHT ('Harkstead Indigo')

Ø23 cm, Lilac

Kr 349.90

Buddleja davidii BUZZ IVORY 5L

Buddleja davidii (Buzz-Serien) BUZZ IVORY ('Tobuivo')

Ø23 cm, White

Kr 349.90

Buddleja davidii BUZZ HOT RASPBERRY 5L

Buddleja davidii (Buzz-Serien) BUZZ HOT RASPBERRY

Ø23 cm, Pink

Kr 349.90

Summer varieties

One important thing to remember when planting a butterfly bush is to know exactly which variety you have. There is actually a variety of buddleja that is just as beautiful and even more robust, but it should be pruned in a completely different way than a butterfly bush. So, make sure you know which variety you have before you start pruning the plant.

Flowers and leaves

The flowers grow in clusters on each year's growth and usually bloom in July or August, lasting well into September. The clusters consist of many small flowers in different colors, depending on the variety you buy. The leaves of a butterfly bush are narrow and lanceolate, and they fall off when the plant goes dormant for the winter.

The butterfly bush grows quickly and has an upright growth habit, with the year's growth blooming in August with beautiful, drooping flowers.

Fun facts

The absolute favorite of butterflies in the garden
Comes in various varieties, with white, pink, or purple flowers
Can be used as a fragrance or flavoring
Hardy up to zone H3, meaning it is suitable for planting in the southern parts of Norway
Can grow up to three meters high
Native to China

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