Buddleia davidii

Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) is a vigorous deciduous shrub from China, celebrated for its dramatic cone-shaped flower spikes that attract butterflies and pollinators throughout the season. This fast-growing plant reaches 6–12 feet tall and wide in a single season, featuring arching stems and gray-green lance-shaped foliage. Blooms arrive in purple, pink, white, or yellow from summer through fall, with a subtle honey-like scent. It demands full sun and well-drained soil, and becomes quite drought-tolerant once rooted. Important note: butterfly bush self-seeds aggressively and is considered invasive in many North American regions. Several US states, including Oregon and Washington, restrict its sale. To enjoy its pollinator appeal without invasiveness concerns, choose sterile or seedless cultivars bred to prevent unwanted spread.