If you would still like to put a butterfly bush in your garden, there are a few species of non-invasive butterfly bushes native tothe southwestern United States. Also, there are newer varieties that stay compact and won’t take over your garden. See our native list of butterfly bush below. Each spring, apply a thin layer of compost, then 2 to 4 inches of mulch to retain moisture and controlweeds. As the name suggests, gardeners treasure this shrub for its charming pink blossoms. This prolific flowerer will reach 3 to 4 metres in size when fully mature. Recipient of the RHS Perfect for Pollinators Badge and the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit. Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush

One of the most common butterflies in the UK, Small Tortoiseshell, enjoying the nectar from Buddleja Royal Red. Butterfly Bush Royal Red This problem occurs when the temperature is cool, and the plant’s leaves remain wet for a time. Furry patches of mildew will appear on the undersides of the leaves. The tops of the leaves may also become yellow or brown. Heavily affected stems should be removed and disposed of. In cold, Northern climates, spread mulch up to 6 inches deep around the trunk to nurture it through thewinter. Prune in early to mid-spring to allow time for the new growth to mature and flower in the same year. Avoid pruning in winter, as it may lead to frost damage to new shoots.B. davidii Nanho White ‘Monite’ is a nicely scented, compact white variety that will reach around 2 metres (7 feet). Buddleias need savage pruning, especially the taller varieties. But care must be taken to do this in late-spring when the hardest weather is over. Prune them in autumn and they can die. The colour of the flowers varies widely, from mostly pastel pinks and blues in Asia, to vibrant yellows and reds in the New World, while many cultivars have deeper tones. The flowers are generally rich in nectar and often strongly honey-scented. The fruit is a small capsule about 1cm (0.39in) long and 1–2mm (0.04–0.08in) diameter, containing numerous small seeds; in a few species (previously classified in the separate genus Nicodemia) the capsule is soft and fleshy, forming a berry.

If your butterfly bush becomes root bound it will need repotting into a larger container or planting out in the garden. Larger varieties will not thrive for more than a year or two if confined to a pot. Looks good with Genus Buddleja L." Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 20 April 2006. Archived from the original on 7 May 2009 . Retrieved 29 November 2010.Although shrubs are usually very robust garden plants, they can sometimes start to decline with no apparent or obvious reason.

Buddleja ( / ˈ b ʌ d l i ə/; orth. var. Buddleia; also historically given as Buddlea) is a genus comprising over 140 [3] species of flowering plants endemic to Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The generic name bestowed by Linnaeus posthumously honoured the Reverend Adam Buddle (1662–1715), an English botanist and rector, at the suggestion of Dr. William Houstoun. Houstoun sent the first plants to become known to science as buddleja ( B. americana) to England from the Caribbean about 15 years after Buddle's death. Buddleja species, especially Buddleja davidii and interspecific hybrids, are commonly known as butterfly bushes and are frequently cultivated as garden shrubs. Buddleja davidii has become an invasive species in both Europe and North America. Shrubs in the ground are generally not demanding and in most cases, annual feeding with general purpose fertilizer will suffice. Shrubs in containers may need more feeding; usually from early spring until late summer. Root the cuttings in water before placing them in pots or trays to grow. The cuttings should only take around 2 weeks to grow roots. Choosing a Buddleia Plant The silvery foliage of buddleia mingles well with other sun-loving silver plants and these could include the pale-lemon anthemis ‘Susanna Mitchell’, the dark-purple lavender ‘Imperial Gem’ and nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’. If you’re dealing with an overgrown buddleia, take one half down in one year (in March) and the second half in the following year (again in March).

Wildlife

Whatever your preferences, consider going for buddleja that have received the RHS Award of Garden Merit as these have been tested and perform well in average garden conditions You can expect to buy buddlejas in 2-3 litre or larger containers at any time of year from garden centres and nurseries. Ocassionally you'll also find smaller potted plants available– they just take a year extra to grow and flower well in the garden. With the less hardy or tender buddleja, planting in spring is best as the worst of the winter cold is over. Your buddleia should be positioned at the same level in the ground as it was in the pot. Water it well and continue to water regularly until well established unless the weather is wet. Water plants in the 18 months after planting until established, aiming to keep the soil moist but not soggy. They should be fine after that. An annual 5cm (2in) layer of mulch will help conserve moisture.

Buddleia shrubs are hardy and can be planted at any time of year. However, late autumn or early spring is ideal for putting your Buddleias in the ground. Water freely when in growth and sparingly otherwise. In the summer, water if rainfall is less than 1 inch perweek. Hurwitz, Jane, ed. (Summer 2012). "The Great Butterfly Bush Debate" (PDF). Butterfly Gardener. North American Butterfly Association. 7 (2). Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 July 2021 . Retrieved 4 August 2021.Take softwood cutting in late spring just as the stems begin to harden up a little. Look for new shoots about six inches in length (15 cm) and trim them below the leaf node and nip out the top. Hardy buddlejas can be planted at any time of year, but you’ll need to water them well if you plant them in summer in full leaf. Planting in spring is ideal as the warm, moist conditions will help them establish. Buddleja plant named 'Blue Chip' ". Google Patents. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021 . Retrieved 7 August 2021.