Butterfly Bushes (Buddleja) are a staple in so many of our backyards, and for good reason! They bloom like crazy all summer long and grow incredibly fast. That speedy growth makes them a fantastic choice if you’re looking to create a beautiful, natural privacy screen in a hurry. Just a heads-up, though: because they’re such overachievers, you’ll need to give them a good pruning once a year to keep them from taking over the garden.
Butterfly Bush Growth Habits
You’ll find a few different species of this popular shrub out there, but the two heavy hitters are *Buddleja davidii* and *Buddleja alternifolia*. Both come in a ton of varieties, each with its own personality. The most common one, *B. davidii*, is a real giant—most varieties easily soar past 6 feet, and it’s not unusual to see them hitting 11 or 12 feet tall! They like to stretch out, too, often reaching widths of up to 10 feet.
Then there’s *B. alternifolia*, also known as the Fountain Butterfly Bush. It’s also a fast grower (adding about 20 inches a year), but it has a more graceful, weeping habit. It doesn’t get quite as wide as its cousin, but those arching branches are stunning.
Popular Varieties at a Glance
To give you an idea of just how big these beauties can get, here’s a quick rundown of some fan favorites:
- African Queen: Gorgeous purple to violet-blue blooms; reaches 6–10 feet tall and 5–6 feet wide.
- Black Knight: Deep, moody dark purple flowers; reaches 6–10 feet tall and 5–10 feet wide.
- Dart’s Ornamental White: Crisp, clean white flowers; reaches 6–10 feet tall and 5–6 feet wide.
- Empire Blue: Bright, violet-blue blooms; reaches 6–10 feet tall and 5–6 feet wide.
- Ile de France: Classic blue-violet flowers; reaches 6–8 feet tall and 5–6 feet wide.
Because they get so big and bushy, you’ll want to make sure you give them plenty of elbow room. If you’re planting one as a standalone feature, aim for a planting distance of about 5 feet. If you’re dreaming of a fast-growing flowering hedge, you can tighten that up to about 30–40 inches apart. This will give you a nice, dense screen in no time.
Growing Butterfly Bushes in Pots
Don’t have a huge yard? No problem! If you’re working with a balcony or a small patio, you can still join the club—just look for dwarf or compact varieties. The Orange Ball Tree (*Buddleja globosa*) and the Golden Butterfly Bush (*Buddleja x weyeriana*) are excellent choices. They usually top out at around 5 feet and stay much slimmer, making them perfect for container gardening.