That is a Butterfly Bush or "Buddleia". It does not host any caterpillars, but it feeds both butterflies and bees. Sometimes I just sit by one of the bushes and watch the show. The older Butterfly Bushes are invasive in many areas, but Proven Winners (for one) has bred a lot of sterile varieties to choose from. They come in many shades of blues, pinks and purple and sometimes white. They are hardy on zones 5 thru 9. They are a woody shrub but some winters they will die back to the ground however if you wait until late spring to prune the dead wood they will almost always come back from the roots and bloom that year.
Thought that was what it was, and had heard they were invasive. Good info re the breeding. Thank you. Guess it wouldn't go in zone 3...Finally had a Monarch hanging out on my milkweed yesterday.
Must get some prima Ginger seeds!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous blooms. What is the plant that the butterflies are on, please?
ReplyDeleteThat is a Butterfly Bush or "Buddleia". It does not host any caterpillars, but it feeds both butterflies and bees. Sometimes I just sit by one of the bushes and watch the show. The older Butterfly Bushes are invasive in many areas, but Proven Winners (for one) has bred a lot of sterile varieties to choose from. They come in many shades of blues, pinks and purple and sometimes white. They are hardy on zones 5 thru 9. They are a woody shrub but some winters they will die back to the ground however if you wait until late spring to prune the dead wood they will almost always come back from the roots and bloom that year.
DeleteThought that was what it was, and had heard they were invasive. Good info re the breeding. Thank you. Guess it wouldn't go in zone 3...Finally had a Monarch hanging out on my milkweed yesterday.
Delete