Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii 'Butterfly Heaven')
Attract butterflies with Buddleja davidii 'Butterfly Heaven', a low-maintenance deciduous shrub boasting fragrant lilac purple blooms from June to September.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Buddleja davidii ‘Butterfly Heaven’ is an exceptional choice for gardeners seeking vibrant, reliable color extending well into the late season. This cultivar of the classic Butterfly bush offers dense clusters of lilac purple flowers that are intensely attractive to their namesake pollinators. It maintains a manageable, upright stature, making it versatile for various garden settings where the standard species might overwhelm the space.
As a deciduous shrub, Buddleja davidii ‘Butterfly Heaven’ provides consistent beauty from early summer until the first frost. Its low maintenance needs are a significant benefit, provided it receives the required full sun exposure. Gardeners prize this variety not only for its continuous bloom but also for its fragrance, enriching the late-summer garden atmosphere.
While highly rewarding, gardeners planting Butterfly bush should be aware of its potential to self-seed, although cultivar selection like ‘Butterfly Heaven’ often helps mitigate this issue compared to the straight species. Proper pruning and diligent deadheading ensure superior shape, vigorous growth, and maximum flower production throughout the season.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Scrophulariaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-6 ft
- Spread: 3-6 ft
- Bloom Time: June to September
- Bloom Description: Lilac purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Buddleja davidii ‘Butterfly Heaven’ in the early spring after the danger of hard frost has passed. It thrives best when situated in full sun—a requirement for vigorous growth and robust flowering performance. While it prefers average, well-drained soil, this adaptable Butterfly bush will tolerate clay soil if amendments are made to improve drainage. Avoid wet, poorly draining sites, as this plant does poorly under such conditions.
Water needs are medium; establish deeply planted shrubs, then water regularly until established. Fertilization is generally unnecessary if planted in reasonably average soil; excessive feeding can lead to lush foliage at the expense of flowers. The most critical cultural practice for this shrub is pruning.
For gardeners in USDA Zones 5 and 6, expect the shrub to die back to the ground in winter; grow it back as an herbaceous perennial by cutting it close to the ground in late winter annually for the best shape and flower display. Even in warmer zones, heavy pruning in late winter promotes vigorous new growth and superior flowers on Buddleja davidii ‘Butterfly Heaven’. Deadheading spent flower spikes throughout the season is crucial; promptly removing these encourages continuous repeat blooming until the autumn frost arrives.
Landscape Uses
The wonderful summer-to-fall floral display offered by this Butterfly bush makes it invaluable when many other shrubs have finished blooming. Buddleja davidii ‘Butterfly Heaven’ performs excellently when incorporated into mixed borders, providing vertical interest and drawing pollinators close to patio areas. It fits beautifully within cottage gardens or dedicated butterfly gardens, serving as a vibrant mid-border anchor.
Although it generally does not make a good single specimen due to its potentially gangly nature without proper management, it functions well when massed or used near foundations where its shape can be easily controlled by yearly pruning. It is also noted as a popular fresh cut flower, allowing you to bring the season’s best fragrance indoors.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Buddleja davidii, commonly called butterfly bush, is celebrated for its showy, fragrant flowers, which bloom profusely in dense, cone-shaped panicles that attract not only butterflies but high numbers of bees and hummingbirds. This cultivar, ‘Butterfly Heaven’, specifically features lilac purple blooms against gray-green foliage in an upright shrub form, typically reaching 3 to 6 feet tall. While the genus has a history of sometimes aggressive naturalization, this specific variety offers the desired aesthetic with manageable size.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
Buddleja davidii ‘Butterfly Heaven’ is generally resistant to serious insect or disease issues, which contributes to its low maintenance appeal. However, vigilant gardeners should watch for spider mites, especially during hot, dry periods. In the Southern US, nematodes can sometimes become a troublesome pest affecting root health. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overwatering to minimize fungal risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Butterfly bush suitable for?
The Buddleja davidii ‘Butterfly Heaven’ is well-suited for cultivation across USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Buddleja davidii ‘Butterfly Heaven’ grow?
This deciduous shrub typically matures to a height between 3 to 6 feet, with a corresponding spread of 3 to 6 feet when planted and maintained appropriately.
What sun exposure does Butterfly bush need?
For optimal performance, including vigorous growth and superior flowering, Buddleja davidii ‘Butterfly Heaven’ requires full sun exposure throughout the day.
When does Butterfly bush bloom?
This species offers an extended bloom period, typically starting in June and continuing reliably through September, sometimes even blooming until the first hard frost touches the garden.
Conclusion
The Buddleja davidii ‘Butterfly Heaven’ is a foundational shrub for any pollinator-friendly garden, delivering showy, fragrant lilac purple blooms across many seasons. This low-maintenance Butterfly bush is an outstanding investment for summer color, provided you secure a spot with full sun exposure. Before planting, always confirm that USDA Zones 5-9 align with your local growing conditions to ensure the best results from your new shrub.
Wildlife Benefits: A Pollinator Magnet
The reason this plant carries the common name ‘Butterfly bush’ is undeniable: its nectar-rich flowers are irresistible to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds alike. Planting Buddleja davidii ‘Butterfly Heaven’ intentionally designs a feeding station in your landscape, supporting local ecosystems during the peak summer months when other nectar sources might diminish. Maximizing these blooms requires regular deadheading to signal the plant to produce more flowers instead of setting seed.
Pruning Regimen for Maximum Bloom
Pruning is the key management activity for maintaining both the shape and flowering capability of Buddleja davidii ‘Butterfly Heaven’. If the plant dies back in winter (Zones 5-6), cut it back hard in late winter or very early spring, treating it like a perennial. For plants that retain some structure in warmer zones, cut back stems selectively to encourage air flow and healthy new wood, which is where the best flowers are produced. Remove old, woody stalks that crowd the center of the shrub annually.
