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Buddleja davidii de: Sommerflieder-Strauch, Steiermark.

Butterfly-bush

Buddleja davidii, family Scrophulariaceae

A honey-scented shrub with lilac to purple flower spikes, loved by butterflies

Photo: -- IKAl 15:22, 23 July 2007 (UTC), CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Butterfly-bush is a tall, arching shrub native to much of China and Tibet. Its honey-scented, lilac to purple flowers grow in long spikes and attract butterflies. Widely grown as an ornamental, it has many cultivars but can be invasive in some regions.

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  • Native to most of China and Tibet
  • Produces honey-scented lilac to purple flower spikes
  • Attracts many butterfly species but not their caterpillars
  • Can become invasive in temperate regions
  • Many sterile cultivars are now available

What does Butterfly-bush look like?

Butterfly-bush is a vigorous shrub that can reach up to 5 meters tall. It has arching branches and grey-brown bark that becomes fissured with age. The leaves are long, narrow, and grey-green above, with a whitish underside when young. Its flowers are small but densely packed in long, terminal spikes, usually lilac to purple, sometimes white, and have a strong honey scent. The flowers are hermaphrodite, and the plant produces tiny, wind-dispersed seeds.

Where does Butterfly-bush come from?

This species is native to most of China and Tibet. It was first reported to European science in the late 1800s by Father Armand David and collected near Yichang by Dr. Augustine Henry. Seed was sent to Europe, and the plant entered commercial cultivation in the 1890s. The genus Buddleja was named after English botanist Adam Buddle, and the species name honors Father David. It has since spread widely as a garden plant.

When and how Butterfly-bush blooms

Butterfly-bush blooms in summer, with each flowering period lasting about six weeks. It prefers mild climates and cannot survive very cold winters below −15 to −20 °C. The shrub is often pruned in spring to encourage new growth and more flowers, as younger wood blooms best. Removing spent flower spikes can extend the blooming season and reduce self-seeding. It is grown from seed or cuttings and thrives in garden settings.

Buddleja davidii on rails at the Düsseldorf-Zoo train station
Buddleja davidii on rails at the Düsseldorf-Zoo train station. Photo: Noebse ( talk · contribs ), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Took a moment to look out the window, and saw this little guy feeding. This appears to be an image of a snowberry clearwing moth ( Hemiparus diffinis ) hovering at a butterfly-bush ( Buddleja davidii ). Note the pollen o
Took a moment to look out the window, and saw this little guy feeding. This appears to be an image of a snowberry clearw. Photo: UnknownNet Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Close-up photo of purple Buddleia flowers.
Close-up photo of purple Buddleia flowers.. Photo: Nabokov ( talk ). Attribution required = "Photo by Tom Oates", CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo of the inflorescence of Buddelja davidii cultivar 'White Profusion', taken at Portchester, UK
Photo of the inflorescence of Buddelja davidii cultivar 'White Profusion', taken at Portchester, UK. Photo: Ptelea, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How Butterfly-bush is used

People grow butterfly-bush mainly as an ornamental shrub for its showy, fragrant flowers, which attract many butterflies and pollinators. It is popular in gardens and parks, but in some countries it has become invasive, spreading along railway lines and disturbed sites. Although its flowers feed adult butterflies, it does not support caterpillars and may outcompete native plants.

Kinds of Butterfly-bush

There are around 180 cultivars of Buddleja davidii, with a range of sizes and flower colors. Some are compact, while others are tall. Notable cultivars include 'Lo & Behold Blue Chip', 'Pink Delight', 'Golden Glow', and 'Silver Frost'. In response to concerns about invasiveness, breeders have developed cultivars with low fertility or sterility, such as the 'Lo and Behold' and 'Flutterby' series.

What Butterfly-bush means

Butterfly-bush has become a familiar sight in gardens and urban areas, especially in the UK, where it is sometimes called 'the bomb site plant' for its growth on post-war ruins. It has received awards from the Royal Horticultural Society. Its spread as an invasive species has led to restrictions in some regions, and gardeners are encouraged to plant sterile cultivars to limit its impact.

Where Butterfly-bush is used and seen

Jardin Serre de la MadoneA hillside garden in Menton with rare subtropical plants and terraced pools

Questions people ask about Butterfly-bush

Where does butterfly-bush come from?

Butterfly-bush is native to most of China and Tibet. It was introduced to Europe in the late 19th century after being collected by plant explorers and missionaries.

What does butterfly-bush look like?

It is a large shrub with arching branches, long grey-green leaves, and dense spikes of small, honey-scented flowers that are usually lilac to purple, but can also be white.

Why is it called butterfly-bush?

The plant is named for its ability to attract many species of butterflies with its nectar-rich, fragrant flowers.

Is butterfly-bush invasive?

Yes, in several temperate countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, and parts of the United States, butterfly-bush can spread rapidly and is considered invasive.

Are there different types of butterfly-bush?

Yes, there are about 180 cultivars, including compact and sterile varieties developed to reduce invasiveness and offer a range of flower colors.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Buddleja davidii", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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