Buddleia davidii 'Ile de France'

Also called Summer Lilac

Long, upright panicles of fragrant, blue florets, change to pink
Arching branches display gray-green leaves
Attractive to butterflies
Popular as a fresh cut flower
Bloom Time: Midsummer to mid-fall

ZONE:
5

COLOUR:
Purple

HEIGHT:
150-200 cm

SPREAD:
120-150 cm

Currently Unavailable

Substitutions Are Available

Growing and Maintenance Tips:

Plant in a well-drained soil, in full sun. Removing spent flower spikes will promote additional blooming. Prune back in late winter to maintain shape, and encourage growth and flowering for the following season.

Additional Notes about Butterfly Bush:

Invasive species.

Detractor: Butterfly Bush benefits pollinators at only one stage of their life cycle. It attracts butterflies because it provides copious nectar. However, butterflies need host plants on which to lay eggs and on which their caterpillars feed. Not a single native caterpillar eats Butterfly Bush leaves. Its invasive tendencies displace native shrubs that are essential food sources for caterpillars which, if they don't feed birds, become butterflies.

Consider alternatives: Clethra alnifolia, Itea virginica, Syringa patula Miss Kim, Cephalanthus occidentalis, or perennials Liatris spicata, Echinacea, Asclepias spp, Eupatorium spp, Agastache, Monarda, Helenium.