Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) is a fast growing shrub attractive to butterflies. A January seed, small as a dust speck, can become a six to eight foot shrub equally covered with flowers and butterflies by September.

Butterfly Bush was discovered in China by French missionaries in the 1880's. In China, the plant is known as Summer Lilac. The fragrant flower, a long panicle, is usually a shade of purple. Although, white and pink flowering types are quite common.

Butterfly Bush is vigourous and prolific. Colonies are likely to establish themselves quickly on any disturbed ground. It was a common sight amongst the debris of bomb damaged London in the Second World War.

Due to it's rapid, and often untidy, growth Butterfly Bush is usually cut back close to the ground each spring. This is an easy way of maintaining an attractive, healthy shrub for many years.