Show Me a Picture of a Butterfly Bush

Butterfly bushes, also known as summer lilacs or Buddleja plants, are a type of flowering shrub that produces cone-shaped flowers that attract butterflies. If you want to see pictures of a butterfly bush, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will look at what butterfly bushes are, what they look like, and where you can find pictures of them.

What is a Butterfly Bush?

A butterfly bush is a fast-growing, deciduous shrub that blooms from summer to early fall It is named for its ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to its dense, colorful flower clusters There are over 100 varieties of butterfly bushes, ranging in height from 2-12 feet tall. Most have arching branches and long, cone-shaped flower panicles. The flowers come in shades of white, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple and blue. Some also have variegated or colored leaves.

Butterfly bushes are native to Asia and were introduced to Europe and North America in the early 1900s. They grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, they are drought and heat tolerant. Butterfly bushes spread rapidly and can be invasive. For that reason, many newer hybrids are sterile so they won’t reseed. They are low maintenance, only needing pruning in late winter or early spring to shape and stimulate flowering.

Why Do Butterflies Love Them?

Butterfly bushes earn their name from the swarms of butterflies they attract Their densely packed flower arrangments allow butterflies to easily hop between multiple nectar sources Butterflies are drawn to the bushes’ bright colors and sweet scent, The tubular flower shape is perfectly designed for a butterfly’s long proboscis to reach the nectar,

In addition to butterflies, butterfly bushes provide food for bees, moths, hummingbirds and other pollinators. Some of the butterflies commonly seen on butterfly bushes include monarchs, red admirals, painted ladies, swallowtails and fritillaries.

Pictures of Butterfly Bush Flowers

The flowers of butterfly bushes are their main feature. They bloom in cone-shaped clusters 6-15 inches long called panicles. The individual flowers are small and tubular with four petals. Here are pictures of some common butterfly bush flower colors:

• Pink Butterfly Bush Flowers – Soft pink flowers with yellow centers. Very attractive to pollinators.

• Purple Butterfly Bush Flowers – Classic butterfly bush with fragrant lavender-purple blooms.

• Red Butterfly Bush Flowers – Bright red panicles stand out in summer gardens. A butterfly favorite.

• Blue Butterfly Bush Flowers – More rare, with true blue flower color. Looks beautiful with pink or white varieties.

• White Butterfly Bush Flowers – Pure white, almost like spires of snow on the bush. Graceful appearance.

• Orange Butterfly Bush Flowers – Cheerful warm orange panicles. Popular for tropical plantings.

Butterfly Bush Leaves and Branches

In addition to their flowers, butterfly bush leaves can add color and interest. Most have olive green, lance-shaped leaves 2-4 inches long. However, some cultivars have variegated foliage with splashes of white, yellow or pink on the leaves. The leaves have a rough, sandpapery texture.

Butterfly bush branches have an arching, fountain-like appearance. New growth is supple and pliable. Older branches become woody and brittle. The branches tend to tangle together into dense thickets. Proper pruning helps open them up and improve air circulation and flowering.

Here are pictures of butterfly bush leaves and branches:

• Green leaves – Normal olive green foliage, no variegation. Provides nice contrast with the colorful blooms.

• Variegated leaves – Stripes, spots or edges of white, pink or yellow. Gives unique appeal.

• Arching branches – Characteristic fountain-like growth habit. Can get out of control.

• Pruned branches – Cutting branches opens up dense growth and stimulates blooms.

• Winter branches – In cold climates, butterfly bushes die back completely in winter.

Butterfly Bush Shrub Pictures

Now that you’ve seen close ups of the flowers, leaves and branches, here are pictures of the butterfly bush as a whole:

• Single bush – A lone plant makes a nice accent in the garden. Shows off its shape.

• Group of bushes – Planting in groups creates a nicer display when in full bloom.

• Large bush – A mature specimen with dense growth and abundant flowers.

• Small bush – Younger plants still establishing. Prune lightly to encourage growth.

• Blooming bush – Covered in colorful panicles attracting butterflies. Very showy.

• Non-blooming – Dormant in winter or if pruned incorrectly. Flowers on new wood.

• Potted – Grow well in containers. Keep them watered. Limit size with pruning.

Where to Find More Butterfly Bush Pictures

Here are some great resources to find more pictures of butterfly bushes:

• Garden sites – Search for butterfly bush on garden design sites like Gardenia.net for numerous beautiful photos.

• Native plant databases – Look up the butterfly bush’s scientific name Buddleja davidii to see professional photos.

• Commercial nursery sites – Nurseries sell many varieties so their sites have nice images.

• Public garden sites – Botanical gardens like Brooklyn Botanic Garden have butterfly bush pictures.

• Gardening magazines – Check sites like Fine Gardening and Birds & Blooms for reader submitted images.

• Pinterest – Search for butterfly bush on Pinterest to find thousands of pictures from home gardeners.

• Instagram – Follow hashtags like #butterflybush and #buddleja to see people’s photos.

• Flickr – Many talented photographers upload their butterfly bush shots onto Flickr.