Buddleia Varieties: A Gardener's Guide To The Best Butterfly Bushes

Butterfly bushes (Buddleja davidii) are a popular choice for gardeners who want to attract butterflies to their yard. These fast-growing shrubs produce long, fragrant spikes of flowers that bloom from summer to fall. There are many different varieties of butterfly bushes available, so you can choose one that will thrive in your climate and add a splash of color to your landscape.

In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of butterfly bushes, as well as their care and maintenance. We will also provide some tips on how to attract butterflies to your garden.

Types of Butterfly Bushes

There are many different varieties of butterfly bushes available, but some of the most popular include:

• Blue Chip: This dwarf variety grows to only 2-3 feet tall and wide, making it a good choice for small gardens. It has blue-purple flowers that bloom from late summer to fall.
• Black Knight: This tall variety grows to 6-8 feet tall and wide. It has dark purple flowers that bloom from summer to fall.
• Ice Chip: This white variety grows to 3-4 feet tall and wide. It has white flowers that bloom from summer to fall.
• Kaleidoscope Bicolor: This bicolor variety has orange flowers with a white center. It grows to 4-6 feet tall and wide.
• Pugster White: This dwarf variety grows to 2-3 feet tall and wide. It has white flowers that bloom from summer to fall.

These are just a few of the many different varieties of butterfly bushes available. When choosing a variety, consider the size of your garden, the color of flowers you prefer, and the climate you live in.

Care and Maintenance

Butterfly bushes are relatively easy to care for. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They should be watered regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Butterfly bushes can be pruned in the spring to shape the shrub and encourage new growth.

Attracting Butterflies to Your Garden

In addition to choosing the right variety of butterfly bush, there are a few things you can do to attract butterflies to your garden:

• Plant nectar-rich flowers. Butterflies are attracted to flowers that have a high sugar content. Some good choices include zinnias, daisies, marigolds, and lavender.
• Provide a water source. Butterflies need water to drink and bathe. A shallow dish of water or a birdbath will attract butterflies to your garden.
• Plant native plants. Butterflies often prefer to lay their eggs on native plants. If you plant native plants in your garden, you will be providing a food source for both the butterflies and their caterpillars.

Conclusion

Butterfly bushes are a beautiful and easy-to-care-for way to attract butterflies to your garden. With a little planning, you can choose the right variety of butterfly bush for your space and provide a habitat that will attract these beautiful creatures.

Buddleia is a beautiful and popular shrub that is known for its fragrant flowers. There are many different varieties of buddleia, each with its own unique characteristics. If you are interested in learning more about buddleia varieties, I recommend visiting the website Garden Wiki. This website has a comprehensive directory of buddleia varieties, as well as detailed information about each variety's features, flowering time, and hardiness zone.

In addition to providing information about buddleia varieties, the website Garden Wiki also offers tips on how to grow and care for buddleia. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, you will find this website to be a valuable resource.

So, what are you waiting for? Visit Garden Wiki today and learn more about buddleia varieties!

FAQ of buddleia varieties

Question 1: What are the most popular buddleia varieties?

Answer: There are many popular buddleia varieties, but some of the most popular include:

• Buddleia davidii, also known as butterfly bush, is a tall, fast-growing shrub that produces large, fragrant flowers in a variety of colors, including blue, purple, pink, and white.
• Buddleia alternifolia, also known as summer lilac, is a shorter, more compact shrub that produces smaller, but equally fragrant, flowers in shades of blue, purple, and white.
• Buddleia globosa, also known as orange ball tree, is a small, rounded shrub that produces large, ball-shaped flowers in shades of orange, yellow, and red.
• Buddleia davidii 'Nanho Purple' is a dwarf variety of butterfly bush that only grows to about 3 feet tall. It produces large, lavender-purple flowers.
• Buddleia davidii 'Pink Delight' is a variety of butterfly bush that produces large, pink flowers. It is a bit more compact than the species, growing to about 6 feet tall.

Question 2: How do I choose the right buddleia variety for my garden?

Answer: When choosing a buddleia variety for your garden, there are a few factors to consider, such as:

• Size: Buddleia varieties come in a wide range of sizes, from small shrubs to tall trees. Choose a variety that will fit in the space you have available.
• Color: Buddleia flowers come in a wide range of colors, from blue to purple to pink to white. Choose a variety that will complement the other plants in your garden.
• Hardiness: Buddleia varieties vary in their hardiness. Choose a variety that is hardy in your climate zone.
• Fragrance: Some buddleia varieties are more fragrant than others. If you want a fragrant shrub, choose a variety that is known for its strong scent.

Question 3: How do I care for buddleia plants?

Answer: Buddleia plants are relatively easy to care for. They need full sun and well-drained soil. They should be watered regularly, especially during the summer months. Buddleia plants can be pruned in the spring to shape them and encourage new growth.

Question 4: How do I propagate buddleia plants?

Answer: Buddleia plants can be propagated from seed, cuttings, or division.

• Propagation from seed: Buddleia seeds can be sown in the spring or fall. Sow the seeds in a well-drained potting mix and keep the soil moist. The seeds will germinate in 2-4 weeks.
• Propagation from cuttings: Buddleia cuttings can be taken in the spring or summer. Take a 4-6 inch cutting from a healthy plant and remove the bottom leaves. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone and plant it in a well-drained potting mix. Keep the soil moist and the cutting will root in 2-4 weeks.
• Propagation by division: Buddleia plants can be divided in the spring or fall. Dig up the plant and carefully separate the roots into two or more sections. Plant the divisions in well-drained soil and water them well.

Question 5: What are some common problems with buddleia plants?

Answer: Buddleia plants are generally pest- and disease-resistant, but they can be susceptible to a few problems, such as:

• Aphids: Aphids are small, sap-sucking insects that can infest buddleia plants. They can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Powdery mildew: Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that can cause white spots to appear on the leaves of buddleia plants. It can be controlled with a fungicide.
• Winter damage: Buddleia plants can be damaged by cold weather. In colder climates, they should be protected with a layer of mulch or evergreen boughs.

Image of buddleia varieties

• Black Knight Buddleia: This variety has dark purple flowers with yellow eyes. It is a tall and vigorous grower, and it is one of the best buddleias for attracting butterflies.
• Blue Chip Buddleia: This variety has bright blue flowers that are very fragrant. It is a compact grower, and it is a good choice for smaller gardens.
• Purple Haze Buddleia: This variety has lavender-purple flowers that are very showy. It is a spreading grower, and it is a good choice for borders or hedges.
• Sky Blue Buddleia: This variety has light blue flowers that are very delicate. It is a tall and airy grower, and it is a good choice for cottage gardens.
• Peach Cobbler Buddleia: This variety has peach-colored flowers that are very sweetly scented. It is a compact grower, and it is a good choice for containers or patios.