Fountain Butterfly Bush

This long slender wand full of light purple flowers combines its force with thousands of other hanging branches to produce an explosion of purple. This graceful, fragrant shrub can be trained to a central leader and used as a miniature weeping willow.

Fountain Butterfly Bush blooms in early spring before Buddleia davidii's do. Its bloom lasts only about a month, but it is truly spectacular.

Description of fountain butterfly bush: The fountain butterfly bush is a tall, arching, graceful shrub reaching 15 feet in height if unpruned. Its branches are practically pendulous, making it resemble a shrubby weeping willow. The long, narrow, dark green leaves are grayish below. Although deciduous, they offer little in the way of fall color. The ends of the branches are covered in June with dense clusters of delicately-scented, bright lilac-purple flowers.

Growing fountain butterfly bush: Light, dappled shade or full sun are best. The shrub prefers deep, rich soils. Prune by removing one-third of the old wood after blooming.

Uses for fountain butterfly bush: The fountain butterfly bush is an excellent accent plant if given enough space. It can be trained into tree form by pruning, making its pendulous form even more striking. It attracts butterflies.

Fountain butterfly bush related varieties: Buddleia alternifolia Argentea, with silvery leaves, is a popular selection and the first to flower.

Fountain butterfly bush related species: The butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) is better known and more highly scented than the fountain butterfly bush. It is smaller with a less attractive habit and is best pruned to the ground each spring. The cluster flowers come in a wide variety of colors. This plant and all its hybrids are extremely invasive in most of North America.