Best butterfly bush

Plant the best butterfly bush in your garden to attract pollinators and provide heaps of nectar.

Butterfly on flower
(Image credit: Joshua J. Cotten via Unsplash)

A butterfly bush is a beautiful shrub that grows vibrant flowers. These flowers act as pollinators for bees and also provide nectar to butterflies. The bushes can grow in a range of sizes, making them terrific additions to your garden. When it comes to the best butterfly bush, here's a roundup of my top picks. 

Staff pick

Proven Winners Miss Molly butterfly bush

(Image credit: Amazon)

Proven Winners Miss Molly butterfly bush

Will grow substantially with care

This butterfly bush measures 6 to 14 inches tall.

Pros:

  • 6 to 14 inches
  • Arrives as a gallon shrub
  • Comes with a pot
  • Blooms deep pink flowers

Cons:

  • Needs 8 hours of sun a day
  • May arrive dry
  • May need to be resoiled upon arrival

This butterfly bush arrives as a quart shrub, measuring from 6-to-14-inches tall. Only about 1 year old when shipped, this plant needs love and care. Ensure you keep this specimen hydrated and under the sun for at least 8 hours a day to help it thrive. When healthy, this bush will bloom beautiful deep pink flowers

Best tall

small butterfly bush

(Image credit: Amazon)

Perfect Plants Black Knight butterfly bush

Greenery gets growing, fast

This butterfly bush can grow as tall as 10-feet in only two growing seasons.

Pros:

  • Blooms purple flowers
  • Low-maintenance plant
  • Can grow up to 10-feet tall
  • Grows fast

Cons:

  • Plant does not arrive in a pot
  • May need watering upon arrival
  • May not appear as full as expected

If you're looking for a low-maintenance plant, this butterfly bush is a great option. Simply water it and leave it in the sun to help it thrive and grow into a large, healthy bush. Impressively, this plant can grow 6-to-10-feet tall in only two growing seasons. It will bloom beautiful and vibrant purple flowers that will uplift your garden. Bonus, these flowers feature an admirable sweet fragrance that will fill your entire yard.

Best scent

Brighter Blooms Black Knight butterfly bush

(Image credit: Amazon)

Brighter Blooms Black Knight butterfly bush

Blooms dark and mystical flowers

This Black Knight butterfly bush is incredibly fragranced.

Pros:

  • Highly fragranced
  • Blooms dark purple flowers
  • Flowers can grow up to 12-inches long
  • Bush can grow up to 6-feet tall

Cons:

  • Attracts insects and wildlife
  • Not supported in some states due to agricultural restrictions

Shipped in a 3-gallon pot, this Black Knight butterfly bush arrives ready for placing or planting. With the ability to withstand colder and warmer environments, this low-maintenance bush can grow up to 6-feet tall. It blooms dark purple flowers that create a beautiful aesthetic along hedges or walkways. The flowers emit a sweet and pleasing aroma that will be recognized around your entire garden.

Best hue

Premier Plant Solutions Proven Winners Miss Molly butterfly bush

(Image credit: Amazon)

Premier Plant Solutions Proven Winners Miss Molly butterfly bush

Stand-out shrub for butterflies and gardeners

This butterfly bush features beautiful red sangria-colored flowers. 

Pros:

  • Blooms red sangria-colored flowers
  • Great for rock gardens
  • Grows full and tall

Cons:

  • Unsure how tall it will grow
  • Unsure how old it is upon arrival
  • May need extra care upon arrival

This butterfly bush arrives in a pot that measures 9.5-by-12 inches. It can be kept in the pot or planted in your garden. This bush needs lots of sunlight and occasional watering to grow into a healthy plant. Once matured, this option will produce brilliant red flowers, making this a beautiful plant for any garden.

Best seeds

small butterfly bush

(Image credit: Amazon)

Jocadew multicolor butterfly bush seed mix

Colorful plants right from seed

This package contains 150 multicolored butterfly bush seeds.

Pros:

  • 150 seeds
  • Multiple colors
  • Blooms highly fragrant flowers
  • Grows quickly

Cons:

  • Does not arrive germinated
  • Must be planted from seed
  • Needs extra care than a sprout

These butterfly bush seeds are great for planting in any garden or pot. They grow butterfly bushes with different color flowers. The seed mixture has a higher chance of germination, allowing them to grow into mature plants quickly. Add vibrant colors to your garden with this seed pack.

The bottom line

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The best butterfly bush grows quickly, looks beautiful, and is low-maintenance. The Proven Winners Miss Molly butterfly bush grows up to 5-feet tall. Once matured, this luscious plant blooms deep pink flowers that liven up any garden.

With proper care, the Perfect Plants Black Knight butterfly bush is known for its ability to grow as 10-feet tall in only two growing seasons. This butterfly bush blooms vibrant purple flowers that give your yard a tasteful touch of color.

Camille Sanghera is a UX writer and copywriter for global brands as well as an author of self-help books. Although she has lived and traveled internationally, Camille is originally from British Columbia, Canada. She merges over 10 years of writing experience with a love of words to bring authenticity and human connection to every project. When not writing, Camille can be found exploring nature with her dog, sketching to music, or laughing with loved ones.

You can chat with Camille on Instagram at @projectpvo.