Xtremehorticulture

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.


            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

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