Butterfly Bush As a Background Plant

Butterfly bush, which normally reaches heights of 5 to 10 feet, is a natural choice as a background garden plant. Known botanically as Buddleia, this sun-loving perennial provides a stately and colorful setting for smaller plants with similar growing needs.

Full Sun

Low-growing options in full sun include coreopsis, petunia, dianthus, pentas and marigold plants. Taller options to bridge the distance between the lower level plantings and a large butterfly bush include blazing star, catmint, heather, zinnia and agastache.

Butterfly Favorites

Several towering butterfly bushes at the back of a butterfly garden offer visual interest. Smaller butterfly favorites to plant in front of buddleia include coneflower, cosmos, lantana, bee balm, New England aster, phlox and milkweed.

Low-Growing Shrubs

Small sun-loving shrubs are right at home in front of butterfly bush. A foreground consisting of boxwood, dwarf crape myrtle, spirea, quince or creeping gardenia complement a yard in which Buddleia towers at the back.

References

• Dayton Nurseries: Butterfly Bush
• Nature Hills Nursery: Full Sun Perennials
• The Butterfly Website: Plants to Attract Butterflies, Hummingbirds and Wildlife
• Wilson Bros Nursery: Shrubs for Sun