The buddleia pink delight butterfly bush, also known by its botanical name buddleia davidii ‘Pink Delight’, is a gorgeous and aromatic flowering shrub that attracts pollinators like no other. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about growing and caring for this eye-catching plant.
An Overview of Buddleia Pink Delight
The buddleia pink delight is a deciduous shrub that can grow quite large, reaching up to 8-10 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide when mature It has an upright, vase-shaped growth habit and produces conical clusters of bright pink flowers from summer through fall The blooms are sweetly fragrant and simply stunning.
In addition to its vibrant flowers, the buddleia pink delight boasts grayish-green foliage that provides a nice contrast to the saturated pink blooms The leaves are lance-shaped and give the plant a full, bushy appearance
This spectacular butterfly bush thrives in full sun and is quite easy to grow. It’s cold hardy to USDA zones 5-9, so it can tolerate cold winters as long as the root system is protected with mulch. Buddleia pink delight makes a fantastic addition to perennial borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, and large containers.
Why It’s Called a Butterfly Bush
The common name “butterfly bush” refers to this plant’s immense attractiveness to butterflies. The fragrant, nectar-rich flowers lure in butterflies by the dozens, making buddleia a must-have for every butterfly garden. In fact, butterfly bush is considered one of the very best plants for supporting butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinating insects.
In addition to butterflies, the pink delight butterfly bush also brings in hummingbirds that enjoy perching on its branches, despite not being able to sip the actual nectar. Simply watching the aerial display of butterflies and hummingbirds flocking to the pink delight flowers is sure to be a magical experience!
Growing Conditions for Pink Delight Butterfly Bush
Successfully growing the stunning buddleia pink delight requires planting it in an appropriate spot and giving it proper care. Here are the key factors to consider:
Sunlight: Buddleia thrives in full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Morning sun is especially important.
Soil: Well-draining soil is ideal. Amend clay soils with compost or peat moss to improve drainage.
Water: Water deeply and regularly during the first year to establish roots. After that, water only when the top few inches of soil become dry.
Fertilizer: Feed in early spring with a balanced fertilizer to promote lush growth and flowering. Organic options include compost, fish emulsion, or seaweed extract.
Pruning: Prune back by 1/3 to 1/2 in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Deadhead spent flowers during summer to encourage reblooming.
Winter Care: Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around the base to insulate roots in cold climates. Cut back any dead stems in early spring.
Zone: Grow buddleia pink delight in zones 5-9. It may die back to the ground after harsh winters but grows back vigorously each spring.
How to Use Pink Delight Butterfly Bush in the Landscape
Thanks to its relatively large size and prolific flowering, the buddleia pink delight makes a huge impact in outdoor spaces. Here are some excellent ways to showcase this gorgeous butterfly bush:
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Plant as a flowering backdrop to shorter perennials and annuals in a sunny border. Allow plenty of space for its mature size.
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Use as a fragrant, colorful hedge or screen. Space 4-6 feet apart for a dense hedge.
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Feature it alone or paired in large containers on decks, patios, or porches. Enjoy the flower show up close!
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Include it in a cottage garden, cutting garden, or pollinator habitat garden. Mix with other butterfly-friendly perennials and herbs.
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Allow it to grow as a flowering shrub in a mixed border near evergreen shrubs and small trees.
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Plant in groups of 3-5 for a massed display of color and fragrance in a special bed or border.
Pairings and Companion Plants
The bright pink blossoms and bushy gray-green foliage allow buddleia pink delight to blend in beautifully with many other plants. Here are some excellent options for flower and foliage pairings:
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Perennials: Asters, coneflowers, lavender, catmint, gayfeather, sage, sedum, yarrow
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Annuals: Zinnias, cosmos, cleome, nicotiana, signet marigold, globe amaranth
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Shrubs: Spirea, potentilla, viburnum, ninebark, buckthorn
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Vines: Clematis, trumpet honeysuckle, trumpet vine, passionflower
Some specific companion plants that look especially nice next to the pink delight butterfly bush include purple coneflower, Russian sage, lavender, veronica, catmint, oregano, thyme, asters, tickseed, and monarda.
How to Propagate Pink Delight Butterfly Bush
This lovely butterfly bush is easy to propagate by cuttings or division:
Softwood cuttings: Take 6-8 inch cuttings from new growth in early summer. Remove lower leaves, dip in rooting hormone, and stick in potting mix. Keep moist and lightly fertilized.
Semi-hardwood cuttings: Take similar cuttings in late summer or fall. Treat as above and overwinter indoors.
Division: Dig up the plant and carefully divide the root ball in early spring. Replant divisions and water well.
Seeds: Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Barely cover with soil and keep moist and warm. Transplant seedlings after last frost.
Common Pests and Problems
Fortunately, the buddleia pink delight butterfly bush is not prone to serious pest or disease issues. Here are a few potential problems to look out for:
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Aphids: Monitor for clusters of these small sucking insects on stems and leaves. Use insecticidal soap or strong water spray to treat.
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Leaf miners: Watch for meandering trails or blotches on leaves. Remove and destroy affected foliage.
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Root rot: Can occur if overwatered. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Powdery mildew: This fungal disease causes a white powdery coating on leaves. Provide good air circulation and avoid excessive shade.
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Winterkill: Extreme cold may kill stems above the ground. Mulch well to protect the root zone and prune out dead wood in spring.
How to Get Your Own Pink Delight Butterfly Bush
Now that you know all about this marvelous plant, you probably can’t wait to get your hands on one! Here are some tips for procuring your own buddleia pink delight:
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Check for availability at your local independent garden center or nursery. Let them know you’re looking for this specific cultivar.
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Search for it online from reputable nurseries like Monrovia or Mountain Valley Growers. Order either potted plants or plug trays.
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See if you can take cuttings from a friend’s established plant to root your own for free.
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Look for the pink delight at farmer’s markets or plant sales where small independent growers sell plants.
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Join plant swap groups and ask others to share divisions when they thin overgrown clumps.
With its vibrant pink blooms and enticing fragrance, the buddleia pink delight butterfly bush promises to be a star in your outdoor space. Attracting butterflies and hummingbirds galore, this easy-care deciduous shrub deserves a spot in every sunny garden. Give it a try this year – your yard will be buzzing with beautiful life before you know it!
