Butterfly bushes (Buddleia) are easily one of the most popular picks for any backyard garden. They’re tough as nails, super low-maintenance, and from July onward, they put on an absolutely massive floral show. But if you want your shrubs to really thrive and reach their full potential, you’ve got to give them some breathing room. Proper spacing in your flower beds is key!
Butterfly Bushes Need Their Space
One thing you’ll notice quickly is just how fast these shrubs grow. In no time at all, they shoot out long branches topped with those iconic flower spikes that keep the garden looking great from July through September. The *Buddleja davidii* varieties are especially vigorous—some can zoom up to 10 feet tall in a single summer! They’re perfect for filling in empty gaps in your landscaping or hiding an ugly wall or fence.
Finding the Right Planting Distance
Since butterfly bushes love to spread out, the amount of space you’ll need depends mostly on which variety you’re planting:
- Buddleja davidii: These are the big guys. They can hit 10 feet tall, so you’ll want to give them at least 5 feet (150 cm) of space between plants.
- Buddleja alternifolia: This variety also reaches for the sky, so stick to that 5-foot (150 cm) rule here too.
- Hedge Planting: If you’re aiming for a solid privacy screen, you can tighten things up to about 3 feet (80–100 cm) apart, depending on how dense you want the hedge to be.
- Dwarf Varieties: These little guys don’t need nearly as much room. Usually, about 2.5 feet (80 cm) is plenty for them to feel comfortable.
Spacing isn’t just about the branches, though—it’s also about what’s happening underground with the root system. Butterfly bushes are shallow-rooted plants. They grow a wide, sprawling web of roots just beneath the soil surface, with only a few deep roots to keep them anchored. To make sure they can spread out without choking out their neighbors, sticking to those minimum distances is the best way to ensure all your plants stay healthy and happy.
Spacing for a Butterfly Bush Hedge
If you’re dreaming of a flowering hedge, there’s a little trick to getting it right. The best method is to plant two rows in a staggered “zigzag” pattern. In the first row, space your shrubs about 28 inches (70 cm) apart. Then, start your second row about 3 feet (1 meter) behind the first, offsetting the plants so they fill the gaps of the first row while maintaining that same 28-inch spacing between individual shrubs.
One quick pro-tip: Before you start digging your hedge, check in with your local HOA or city guidelines regarding property lines. Every area has its own rules about how far back a hedge needs to be from the neighbor’s fence!
