Plant Profile: Bicolor Butterfly Bush
Buddleia x weyeriana 'Bicolor'
Another great introduction from plantsman Dr. Michael Dirr (formerly with UGA).
This butterfly bush is a chance seedling from 'Honeycomb' and has larger flowers
that are purple-blue towards the edges and yellow-orange in the center. The panicles
can reach 10 inches in length. The foliage is green-gray in color. The
plant reaches a mature size of 6-8 feet tall and wide and is very attractive
to butterflies and hummingbirds. Blooming is continuous from early summer through the
fall and will be heavier on plants that are deadheaded.
Plant butterfly bushes in full sun in nicely amended soil with good drainage. They
are quite drought tolerant once established. Give them a hard pruning (down to 18-24 inches)
in the late winter to maintain a compact shrub-like shape. I have seen some that
were trained into tree-form and were quite lovely.
Occasionally, butterfly bushes are bothered by Japanese beetles and spider mites which
may disfigure the leaves. Treat with appropriate insecticides and miticides if needed, but be careful
to not spray any butterflies. Deer resistant.
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