Different Types of Butterfly Bushes: A Guide to Varieties

If you’re a fan of butterflies and want to attract them to your garden, then butterfly bush varieties are a perfect choice. Butterflies are easily lured by the sweet nectar produced by these beautiful flowers. Also called buddleia, these plants are made for nature lovers and gardening enthusiasts alike.

Over the years, breeders have developed different varieties of butterfly bush, each with its own unique qualities. One of the favorites is the Nanho Blue variety, which hails from our very own Nanho Garden. With its deep purple flowers, this variety is a colorful version of the classic butterfly bush.

If you’re into landscaping, you might want to consider the Cranrazz variety. Its vibrant pink flowers will surely catch your eye and make for a stunning backdrop in your garden. Plus, this variety is seedless, so you won’t have to worry about any weedy invasions.

Another popular variety is the Flutterby Petite series, known for its petite size and low-fertility. The Knight Blue-Purple is a winner in this series, with its smaller stature and wide range of colors. It’s perfect for those who want to add a touch of heaven to their landscaping projects.

Butterfly bushes are not only beautiful, but they also attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. So, if you’re looking to create a pollinator-friendly garden, butterfly bushes should be on top of your list. With their vibrant colors, sweet fragrance, and ability to attract pollinators, butterfly bushes are a must-have for any garden enthusiast.

Sterile Varieties of Butterfly Bush

If you’re a fan of butterfly bushes in your garden, but concerned about their potential to spread and become invasive, then consider planting sterile varieties. Sterile varieties of butterfly bushes do not produce seeds, which means they won’t self-sow like their native counterparts. This is a major advantage for gardeners who want to keep their garden beds from being overrun with butterfly bush seedlings.

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One popular sterile variety is Buddleja ‘Miss Molly’, which has stunning pink-red flowers that bloom from early summer into fall. Another favorite is ‘Blue Heaven’, which features deep blue-purple flowers that look just like the original davidii species. Both of these varieties are seedless and won’t become invasive.

Butterfly bushes are known for attracting pollinators, like butterflies and hummingbirds, but with sterile varieties, you can enjoy the abundant flowering without worrying about the plant becoming weedy. The low-fertility and seedless nature of these hybrids make them perfect for landscaping purposes, as they won’t spread to unwanted areas or outcompete native plants.

In recent years, breeders have created new sterile varieties that still have the same colorful and ornamental qualities as the original species. For example, ‘Blue Chip’ is a petite hybrid with blue flowers that drape over the plant in a beautiful haze. ‘Pink Delight’ is another seedless variety, with pink blooms that attract a wide range of pollinators.

If you prefer a dark and dramatic color, try ‘Cranrazz’, which has black-purple flowers that stand out in any garden. These sterile varieties of butterfly bush look just as pretty–but are much more well-behaved in the garden, thanks to their low-fertility characteristics.

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So if you’re considering adding butterfly bush to your garden, but concerned about it becoming invasive, consider planting one of these sterile varieties. They’ll still attract butterflies and other pollinators, and they’ll provide years of colorful, low-maintenance delight in your garden.

It might be time to consider new seedless or low-fertility hybrids that have made their way into nurseries in recent years

If you’re a fan of butterfly bushes in your garden, you may be interested to know that there are recent varieties available that are seedless or have low fertility. These new hybrids have made their way into nurseries, offering new options for butterfly garden enthusiasts.

One such hybrid is the petite Nanho Blue, which hails from a wide range of petite butterfly bushes. Although it is small in nature, growing only about 4 feet tall, it is abundant in color and beauty. With its pretty blue-purple spikes, this plant is a favorite for those who love the blue haze it creates in the garden.

Another option is the Davidii Flutterby Petite, a low-fertility hybrid that won’t spread like the weedy invasive varieties can. This colorful bush grows to a height of about 4 feet and produces abundant pink flowers that butterflies delight in. It’s a perfect choice for a sunny garden.

If you’re a fan of blue butterfly bushes, you might consider the Blue Heaven hybrid. This seedless variety is a favorite among gardeners because it offers all the facts of a traditional butterfly bush but without the hassle of seeding. Its beautiful blue flowers create a heavenly display in any garden.

So, if you’re considering adding butterfly bushes to your garden, it’s worth looking into these new seedless or low-fertility hybrids. They offer a wide range of color options, from pink to blue, and will bring delight to both you and the butterflies that visit your garden.

Butterfly Bush Facts

The butterfly bush, also known as Buddleia, is a flowering bush that is popular in landscaping. It is a favorite of both gardeners and butterflies, as it produces beautiful flowers that attract these colorful insects.

One popular variety of butterfly bush is called the “Nanho Blue.” This bush has petite blue-purple spikes of flowers that bloom in the summer. Another well-loved variety is called “Pink Delight,” which has pink flowers that bloom in abundance. Both of these varieties are seedless, which means they won’t spread quickly or become invasive.

Butterfly bushes are also known for their low-fertility requirements. They can thrive in below-average soil and still produce vibrant blooms. This makes them a great choice for gardens with less fertile soil or for use in landscaping.

However, it’s important to be aware that some varieties of butterfly bush can be invasive. The Davidii hybrids, for example, have been known to spread easily and take over sunny gardens. To avoid this issue, nurseries now offer “sterile” versions of butterfly bushes, which do not produce viable seeds and therefore cannot spread as easily.

In recent years, breeders have also developed new varieties of butterfly bushes that have different colors and qualities. One such variety is the “Black Knight,” which has deep purple flowers. Another is the “Sungold,” which has golden-yellow flowers. These new varieties still attract butterflies and other pollinators, but expand the range of options for gardeners.

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When planting a butterfly bush, it’s important to give it enough space to grow. These bushes can reach a height of six to ten feet, so they need room for their branches and foliage. They also prefer full sun, so find a sunny spot in your garden to plant them.

In conclusion, butterfly bushes are a beautiful addition to any garden or landscaping project. They attract butterflies and other pollinators, add color and beauty to the landscape, and can thrive in low-fertility soil. However, it’s important to choose the right variety to avoid invasive tendencies and consider the potential size of the bush when planting. With the right care and planting, butterfly bushes can be a wonderful addition to your outdoor space.

“Sterile” Butterfly Bush Varieties

If you’re a fan of the vibrant and abundant blooms of the butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii), you’re not alone. These pretty–but weedy–plants have become a favorite in many gardens due to their low-fertility seeds and long summer blooming season. However, if you’re looking for a butterfly bush variety that won’t become invasive, you may want to consider the “sterile” or seedless versions.

Also called “butterfly bushes for the Black Knight, Blue Heaven, Cranrazz, and Petite Miss Molly are all examples of these low-fertility varieties. Unlike their more weedy counterparts, the sterile butterfly bush varieties do not produce an abundant crop of seeds that can spread and become a nuisance in your landscaping. Instead, they focus their energy on producing beautiful, fragrant blooms that will attract pollinators.

One of the benefits of these sterile varieties is that they are often more compact and neater in appearance than the regular butterfly bushes. They generally have a wide, upright habit and produce spikes of colorful flowers in shades such as blue, purple, pink, and white. These sterile varieties can be a great addition to any garden and can even be used as a backdrop for other ornamental plants.

Although these sterile butterfly bush varieties are called “seedless,” it’s important to note that they may still produce a small number of seeds. However, the number of seeds produced is significantly lower than the non-sterile varieties, making them a much safer choice for landscaping.

So, if you’re considering planting a butterfly bush in your garden, why not opt for one of these “sterile” varieties? They offer all the benefits of the regular butterfly bush, with the added bonus of being low-fertility and seedless.

  • Black Knight: This variety has deep purple flowers and a compact habit.
  • Blue Heaven: With its blue-purple flowers, this variety is a true winner.
  • Cranrazz: The Cranrazz butterfly bush is known for its vibrant pink flowers.
  • Petite Miss Molly: This variety features rich, dark pink blooms that attract butterflies.

With these facts in mind, you can enjoy the beauty of butterfly bushes in your garden without worrying about their potential invasiveness. Choose a “sterile” variety and create a stunning and pollinator-friendly landscape.

Authors at GlobalIdeas
Authors at GlobalIdeas

We exist to help communities in the Asia-Pacific make practical improvements to their own health. We believe there is immense potential to join the dots across disciplines to think differently, and we are united by a desire to see better health for all.

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