With a name like butterfly bush, it’s easy to see why Buddleja is such a popular landscaping plant.
After all, who wouldn’t enjoy more of these beautiful insects in their backyard? And with the push to do more to help pollinators, you would think the butterfly bush would be a natural choice.
Unfortunately, butterfly bush has a reputation for more than just attracting butterflies.
It’s also an invasive plant, spreading rapidly and outcompeting many native species like willow trees.
Because it’s so easy to grow, tolerates many different climate zones and produces large clusters of beautiful flowers (often bespotted with butterflies) all summer long, it continues to be a popular plant sold in garden centers across the nation. But its popularity, combined with its habit of spreading rapidly has made it a real problem plant here in the States. Some states have even banned sales of the plant.
You’ll want to think twice before adding Buddleja to your backyard.
In an effort to let gardeners have their cake and eat it too, sterile varieties have been developed (meaning they don’t produce viable seed). These sterile varieties can be bought even in states where the natural plant is banned. So, if you have your heart set on a butterfly bush, look for varieties such as ‘Lo and Behold’ and ‘Flutterby Grande.”
But What If I Already Have a Butterfly Bush?
If you already have a butterfly bush growing in your yard or garden, then you already know how easily it can spread. Be sure to deadhead spent blooms as soon as possible to keep the plant in check. If it’s already become a problem child in your landscape, you might want to consider removing it and replacing it.
The abundant seeds spread profusely and quickly, which can be a problem if the seeds spread beyond your own backyard, which they often do.
However, even without the word ‘butterfly’ in their name, there are so many other shrubs you can grow that are just as attractive to butterflies, if not more so. Rather than continue to enable the spread of this invasive plant, consider planting one of these lovely shrubs instead and enjoy butterflies all the same.
Other Shrubs to Grow Instead of Butterfly Bush
As always, check with your local garden center for their recommendations of plants native to your area.
- Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
- Dogwood (Cornus spp.)
- Firebush (Hamelia patens)
- Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum)
- Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora)
- Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata)
- Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba and spiraea latifolia)
- Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
- New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
- Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
- Pussy Willow (Salix discolor)
- Sargent’s Cranberry (Viburnum sargentii)
- Shrubby Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa)
- Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
- Sweet Pepperbush/ Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)
- Viburnums (native species)
- Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica)
Spicebush is a wonderful alternative to butterfly bush, in fact, the Spicebush Swallowtail was named after the shrub it loves so much. In case you need more convincing, you’ll want to read 8 Reasons Everyone Needs to Grow a Northern Spicebush.
Unlike butterfly bush, many of the above can also be useful for caterpillars and larval forms of butterflies and moths, an important consideration with the disappearance of pollinators.
Naturally, you’ll want to choose a shrub that will thrive in your climate, soil and light conditions. It’s always a good idea to discuss your needs with your local garden center when choosing plants.
While it’s best to choose plenty of native plants for your garden, it’s also possible to carefully select non-native species that are not invasive in your area.
Some non-native shrubs to consider as particularly good nectar sources for butterflies are:
- Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
- Deutzia
- Hebes
- Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
- Weigela
Alternatives for Outside the U.S.
In the UK/Europe, some native shrubs/ small trees that are great for native butterfly species (throughout their life cycles, not just for nectar) include:
For those outside the U.S., there are plenty of butterfly bush alternatives, such as guelder rose.
- Alder buckthorn
- Blackberries/ brambles
- Currants
- Dogwood (Cornus)
- Dog Rose (Rosa canina) (and other roses)
- Elder
- Gorse
- Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus)
- Hawthorn
- Purging buckthorn
- Willows (Salix)
Other Butterfly-Friendly Plants
Of course, you don’t have to stick to shrubs if you’re hoping to attract butterflies. Numerous plants attract butterflies beyond the shrubs mentioned previously.
Don’t forget fruit trees if you want to provide both food and shelter for butterflies.
- Fruit trees – which have nectar-filled blossoms. Fallen fruits will also serve as a food source for butterflies. Trees also provide shelter and a place for butterflies and moths to overwinter.
- Climbers – ivy, roses, etc.. (which can provide nectar when there isn’t much around and also serve as a habitat for egg-laying).
- Nectar-rich flowers – including plenty of perennial flowers, as well as annuals or biennials.
- Perennial herbs (many perennial herbs are great for attracting butterflies – lavender, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, hyssop, and more are all great examples.)
- You should also allow weeds to grow in your garden. Some weeds, such as stinging nettles and milkweed, are excellent butterfly-friendly plants.
No matter where you live, there is a huge range of beautiful and useful trees, shrubs, flowers, herbs, and other plants to grow in your garden. By avoiding invasive species like butterfly bush, you can create a pollinator paradise for you, the butterflies, and other wildlife.
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