Butterfly bushes (Buddleia) are among the hardest-working shrubs you can plant. From midsummer through frost, they produce long, fragrant flower spikes that act like a landing strip for butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees — all while requiring almost no maintenance from you. If you've ever wanted a garden that practically takes care of itself while putting on a show, butterfly bush is your answer.
Here's a complete guide to the varieties we carry at BringMeATree.com and how to choose the right one for your space.
Why Butterfly Bushes Belong in Every Garden
Before we get into varieties, here's why butterfly bushes earn their place:
- Bloom time: Midsummer through hard frost — one of the longest bloom windows of any flowering shrub
- Pollinator magnet: Nectar-rich spikes attract monarch butterflies, painted ladies, swallowtails, hummingbirds, and bees
- Low maintenance: Drought-tolerant once established, deer-resistant, and virtually pest-free
- Non-invasive: All varieties we carry are sterile or low-seed, so no unwanted spreading
- Pet-friendly: Non-toxic to dogs and cats
The Butterfly Candy™ Series: Big Color in a Compact Package
If you're working with a smaller garden, patio, or mixed border, the Butterfly Candy™ series is your go-to. These compact 2–3 foot shrubs pack all the pollinator power of full-size butterfly bushes into a tidy, container-friendly form.
Butterfly Candy™ 'Lil Raspberry' — Vibrant raspberry-pink blooms that pop against green foliage. A favorite of painted ladies and hummingbirds. Zones 5–11.
Butterfly Candy™ 'Lil Lavender' — Soothing lavender-blue spikes with a sweet fragrance. One of the most pollinator-attractive colors in the series. Zones 5–11.
Butterfly Candy™ 'Lil Coconut' — Pure white blooms with a honey fragrance. Elegant in mixed borders and stunning against dark foliage. Zones 5–11.
Butterfly Candy™ 'Lil Taffy' — Nonstop hot pink blooms from late spring through frost. One of the longest-blooming in the series. Zones 5–11.
The Buzz® Series: Reblooming Power in a Mid-Size Shrub
The Buzz® series steps up to 3–4 feet and adds reblooming performance — meaning even after you deadhead, it comes back with fresh flower spikes.
Buzz® Ivory — A clean, creamy ivory-white that pairs beautifully with purple and pink companions. Fragrant, compact, and reliably reblooming. Zones 5–10.
Buzz™ Sky Blue — A rare true-blue butterfly bush — one of the closest to pure blue available. Exceptional pollinator draw and a standout in any border. Zones 5–10.
Statement Varieties: For Maximum Impact
Bicolor Butterfly Bush — This is the showstopper. Soft lavender blooms fade to golden peach, creating a two-tone effect unlike any other butterfly bush. Massive 8–10 inch flower spikes on a 5–6 foot plant. If you have the space, this one earns every inch of it. Zones 5–9.
"All the Buzz" Buddleia — 3 Colors in 1 — Can't choose just one color? You don't have to. This collection bundles sky blue, raspberry pink, and white varieties together for a multi-color pollinator display. Compact at 2–3 feet and available in 4- or 6-pack bundles — perfect for mass planting along a fence or border. Zones 5–10.
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you want to attract the widest variety of pollinators with one purchase, our Pollinator Starter Kit pairs the Bicolor Butterfly Bush with Nepeta Cat's Meow — a proven combination that blooms in succession and keeps your garden buzzing from spring through fall.
Care Tips for Butterfly Bushes
- Sun: Full sun (6+ hours) for best blooming
- Water: Regular watering until established; drought-tolerant after
- Pruning: Cut back hard in early spring (to 12–18 inches) to encourage vigorous new growth and the best bloom display
- Deadheading: Remove spent spikes to encourage reblooming throughout the season
- Fertilizing: Light feeding in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer is all they need
All butterfly bushes at BringMeATree.com ship nursery-fresh with healthy root systems, packed to arrive alive and ready to thrive. Every order is backed by our Arrive Alive Guarantee.