Nanho Purple: A Stunning and Fragrant Butterfly Bush

Butterfly bushes are prized for their long blooming period, attractiveness to pollinators and wide adaptability. One of the most popular varieties is Nanho Purple butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii ‘Nanho Purple’). With its arching growth habit lavender-pink flowers, and irresistible fragrance, it’s easy to see why Nanho Purple has become a butterfly bush favorite.

An Overview of Nanho Purple Butterfly Bush

• Scientifically known as Buddleia davidii ‘Nanho Purple’ it’s a deciduous flowering shrub.

• It was introduced in the 1990s by Spring Meadow Nursery in Michigan.

• ‘Nanho Purple’ typically grows 5-6 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide. It has an arching, fountain-like form.

• Its flowers are a soft lilac to lavender-pink color borne in dense, tapering panicles up to 6 inches long.

• The flowers have a lovely, sweet fragrance that attracts pollinators.

• Bloom time is early summer through fall. It’s one of the longest blooming butterfly bushes.

• ‘Nanho Purple’ is cold hardy to USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9.

• It thrives in full sun and moderately moist, well-drained soil. It’s adaptable to most soil types.

The Flowers and Fragrance of Nanho Purple

The flowers are what make Nanho Purple butterfly bush truly outstanding. Their color is a beautiful lilac-pink hue that provides a refreshing pop of color in the summer garden. The blooms are tiny, with each panicle containing hundreds of individual flowers.

These blooms emerge at the base of the panicle and gradually open upward toward the tip, creating a long season of color. Deadheading spent flowers encourages reblooming.

The flowers also have a lovely, sweet scent reminiscent of honey. This fragrance attracts pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. In fact, butterfly bushes often have so many visiting butterflies that the bushes appear to be vibrating when in full bloom!

Growing Nanho Purple Butterfly Bushes

Nanho Purple is easy to grow. Here are some tips:

• Site: Plant in full sun. At least 6 hours of direct sun per day is best.

• Soil: Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil. Enrich soil with compost or manure.

• Planting: Space plants 5-7 feet apart. Give them room to reach mature size.

• Care: Water during drought. Prune back by 1/3 each spring to encourage blooms.

• Hardiness: Grow in USDA zones 5-9. Provide winter protection in zone 5.

• Propagation: Take semi-hardwood cuttings in summer or root suckers in spring.

• Pests: Aphids, spider mites. Use horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps.

• Diseases: Powdery mildew. Improve air circulation and use fungicides.

Proper planting and care will reward you with years of beauty from Nanho Purple. It’s one tough, adaptable, and floriferous butterfly bush!

Using Nanho Purple Butterfly Bushes in the Landscape

There are many ways to showcase the elegant beauty of Nanho Purple in your yard:

• Specimen plant: Grow as a standalone specimen in beds and borders for a big impact.

• Hedges and screens: Plant in a line to form a butterfly-friendly hedge or privacy screen.

• Containers: Grow Nanho Purple in large containers on decks, patios, and porches.

• Borders: Use as an anchor plant along borders and foundations. Allow space for growth.

• Pollinator gardens: Plant where pollinators like butterflies can easily find it.

• Cut flowers: Cut blooming stems to add fragrant, lavender-pink flowers to summer bouquets.

No matter where it’s planted, Nanho Purple butterfly bush enhances landscapes with months of floral color, irresistible fragrance, and lively pollinator activity. It’s a versatile shrub suited to many garden uses.

Alternatives and Related Varieties

If you like the look of Nanho Purple but want to explore other options, here are some alternatives:

• Miss Molly: Dark red flowers on a compact bush growing just 3-4 feet tall.

• Pink Delight: Soft pink blooms on a bush reaching 4-5 feet tall and wide.

• Miss Ruby: Vibrant ruby-red flowers on a 5 foot tall shrub.

• Lo & Behold Purple Haze: Lavender-blue flowers and a petite 2-3 foot size.

• Blue Chip Jr: Violet-blue blooms on a 3 foot dwarf butterfly bush.

There are also several other Nanho hybrids to consider:

• Nanho Blue: Identical but with light blue flowers instead of lavender-pink.

• Nanho White: A white-flowered form growing to 5 feet tall.

Try Nanho Purple or one of its delightful alternatives to bring the beauty of long-blooming butterfly bushes to your own landscape this year!