Butterfly Plants for the Desert

Q. I want to give my son a housewarming gift of a Butterfly Bush for his new home in Summerlin. Would there be any special care for growing that bush here?

A. I think you are referring to the Butterfly Bush, Buddleia davidii. This plant is grown successfully further north, commonly in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and Midwestern states. It is meant to be grown in cooler, wetter climates and not intended for the desert. Will it grow here? Probably, if you plant it in the cool microclimate part of the landscape and give it some TLC.

            There is another Buddleia, Buddleia marrubifolia, and called the Woolly Butterfly Bush, that does do well here and is attractive to butterflies but may be hard to find.

B. davidii vs B. marrubifolia

            In the desert there are better choices for attracting butterflies, if that is your intention, including Jojoba, any of the native Senna, Bottlebrush, Saltbush, Lantana, Goji or Wolfberry, Red Bird of Paradise and many others.

Arizona Plant Lady on Butterfly Gardens

University of Az on Butterfly Gardens