100 More Species #52: Butterfly bush

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Butterfly bush Buddleja davidii

Butterfly bush is a widely cultivated flowering shrub native to central China. Its growth form tends to be rangy, growing quickly in spring and summer, but often dying back considerably in cold climates like New England. It escapes cultivation in certain climates, being considered invasive in Europe, New Zealand, and in the states of Washington and Oregon. Ours were purchased at a deep discount because they were nearly dead little twigs, but Alexis coaxed them into massive growth. The purple or white flowers are very attractive to various butterfly and moth species, as well as to hummingbirds.