Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bush is a fast-growing shrub with long spikes of fragrant purple flowers from summer into fall, and butterflies and bees flock to them. It can reach 6 to 12 feet if left unpruned, and a hard spring pruning keeps it smaller and full of flowers.
It is a Chinese shrub suited to cooler climates, and it does not perform as well in Phoenix heat as the desert-native woolly butterfly bush. Plant it in full sun in soil that drains, and water it regularly.
Best for: butterfly gardens, summer color in a watered bed, and large patio containers.
Long spikes of fragrant purple flowers open from summer into fall, and butterflies and bees visit all season. Plant it in full sun, where it blooms the most.
It can be kept in a large patio container, where it stays smaller. A pot also makes spring pruning easy.
It grows fast after a hard spring pruning and flowers on the new stems. Plant it 4 to 6 feet apart in a watered bed.
It is meant for cooler, wetter climates and does not perform well in Phoenix heat. It seeds heavily and is listed as invasive in several states, so remove faded flower spikes.
- Shrubs in a bed4 ft apart
- Spaced shrubs6 ft apart
Water it deeply and regularly through the warm months. Let the soil drain between waterings, since it does not tolerate wet soil. It needs less water once it is established.
Prune it hard in early spring. It flowers on new growth, and the weak wood splits as it ages. Cutting it back each year keeps it full and blooming.
It sets a lot of seed. Cut off faded flower spikes to limit seedlings, and pull any that come up.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
Does butterfly bush grow in Phoenix?
It can, but it is a cooler-climate shrub that does not perform well in Phoenix heat. For a hot, dry yard, choose woolly butterfly bush, a desert native.
How big does butterfly bush get?
Left alone it can grow 6 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 15 feet wide. Prune it hard each spring to keep it smaller.
When does butterfly bush bloom?
It blooms from summer into fall with long spikes of fragrant purple flowers. Prune it in early spring so it grows plenty of new flowering stems.
When should I prune butterfly bush?
Prune it hard in early spring. It flowers on new growth, and yearly pruning keeps the weak wood from splitting with age.
How often should I water butterfly bush?
Water it deeply and regularly, but let the soil drain between waterings. It does not tolerate soggy soil.
Does butterfly bush attract butterflies?
Yes. Butterflies and bees visit the fragrant flowers all season. Plant it in full sun for the most flowers.
Is butterfly bush invasive?
It seeds heavily and is listed as invasive in parts of the United States, mostly in wetter regions. Remove faded flower spikes to cut down on seedlings.
Can I grow butterfly bush in a pot?
Yes. It can be kept in a large patio container, which keeps it smaller and easier to prune.
How cold hardy is butterfly bush?
It is rated to about -20°F, far colder than the Valley gets.
Butterfly Bush for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Butterfly bush is a classic nectar shrub with fragrant purple flower spikes. In the Valley it is harder to grow than woolly butterfly bush, so this page covers where it works, watering, pruning and seedlings.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Butterfly bush in Arizona
Butterfly bush is a fast shrub with fragrant purple flower spikes that draw butterflies. It is a cooler-climate plant and harder to grow in Valley heat.
Butterfly bush vs woolly butterfly bush
Woolly butterfly bush is a desert native built for Valley heat. Common butterfly bush does not perform as well in Phoenix.
When to prune butterfly bush
Prune it hard in early spring. It flowers on new growth, so a yearly cut keeps it blooming.
Watering butterfly bush
Water it deeply and regularly, but let the soil drain. It does not tolerate soggy soil.
Is butterfly bush invasive?
It seeds heavily and is listed as invasive in some wetter states. Remove faded spikes to cut down on seedlings.
Butterfly bush in a pot
It can be kept in a large patio container, which keeps it smaller and easier to prune.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.