Butterfly bushes are beloved additions to gardens across North America With their long blooming seasons, adaptability, and irresistible flower power, it’s no wonder they have become backyard staples. One of the most popular butterfly bush varieties is Nanho Purple (Buddleia davidii ‘Nanho Purple’) If you’re looking to attract more butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds to your outdoor space, Nanho Purple butterfly bush deserves a spot at the top of your plant wish list.
An Overview of Nanho Purple Butterfly Bush
Nanho Purple butterfly bush is a deciduous shrub in the Scrophulariaceae family Here are some key facts about this variety
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Introduced in the 1990s by Spring Meadow Nursery in Michigan
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Grows to a height of 5-6 feet with a 4-5 foot spread. Has an arching, fountain-like form.
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Features flowers in a soft lilac to lavender-pink color. Blooms are tiny and borne in dense, tapering panicles up to 6 inches long.
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Butterfly bush that blooms from early summer to fall. One of the longest flowering times for a butterfly bush.
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Hardy in USDA zones 5-9. Thrives in full sun and moderately moist, well-drained soil.
The Gorgeous Flowers and Sweet Fragrance
The blooms truly make this variety shine. Their lilac-pink color adds a nice splash of color to summer gardens. Hundreds of tiny individual flowers make up each flower panicle. The blooms start low on the panicle and open up, giving the plant weeks of color.
The flowers also emit a lovely, sweet honey-like fragrance that butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds find irresistible. It’s common to see many visiting pollinators flocking to the flowers, making the plant appear to vibrate!
How to Grow Nanho Purple Butterfly Bushes
It’s easy to grow Nanho Purple, which is a butterfly bush. Follow these simple tips for success:
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Sun: Plant in a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Full sun is ideal.
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Soil: Grow in average, medium moisture, well-draining soil. Enrich with compost or manure.
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Spacing: Space plants 5-7 feet apart to allow room to reach mature size.
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Care: Water during droughts. Prune annually in spring to encourage blooms.
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Hardiness: Suitable for USDA zones 5-9. May need winter protection in zone 5.
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Propagation: Take summer cuttings or divide root suckers in spring.
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Pests: Aphids, spider mites. Use horticultural oils or insecticidal soap sprays.
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Diseases: Powdery mildew. Improve air flow and use fungicides if needed.
Using Nanho Purple Butterfly Bushes in the Landscape
There are many effective ways to use the refined beauty of Nanho Purple butterfly bushes in your garden:
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Striking standalone specimen in beds, borders or near foundations.
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Plant in rows to form a pollinator-friendly hedge or privacy screen.
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Grow in large planters on patios, decks, and porches.
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Use as an anchor plant along borders and foundations.
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Include in pollinator or butterfly gardens where it can easily be found.
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Cut blooms for fragrant, lavender-pink summer flower arrangements.
The versatility of Nanho Purple makes it a wonderful choice for nearly any sunny spot in your yard.
Alternatives and Related Varieties
If you like the look of Nanho Purple but want to explore other options, consider these top butterfly bush picks:
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Miss Molly – Vibrant dark red blooms on a compact, 3-4 foot bush.
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Pink Delight – Soft pink flowers on a 4-5 foot tall and wide plant.
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Miss Ruby – Brilliant ruby-red blooms on a 5 foot tall shrub.
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Lo & Behold Purple Haze – Lavender-blue blooms on a petite 2-3 foot plant.
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Blue Chip Jr – Violet-blue flowers on a dwarf 3 foot bush.
There are also other Nanho hybrids such as Nanho Blue (light blue flowers) and Nanho White (white blooms).
Bring the Beauty of Nanho Purple to Your Garden
Nanho Purple has become a favorite in many backyards thanks to its sweet-smelling lilac-pink flowers that last a long time. If you want a pollinator plant that doesn’t need much care but makes a big difference, this is the one. This season, let Nanho Purple bring lots of birds to your yard.
Sunlight and Watering Needs
Buddleias grow best in full sun. They need at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. This sunlight is important for them to grow healthy and have many flowers. Planting your Buddleia in a shady area could make its stems grow longer, flower less, and make it more likely to get sick.
Watering properly is also very important. Buddleias can handle dry conditions once they are established, but they still need regular moisture, especially when its dry. Try to keep the soil moist but not too wet. Watering too much can damage the roots and cause root rot.
A good way to know when to water is to check the soil. If the top inch feels dry, its time to water your Buddleia deeply. Water it well but not too often. This helps the roots grow deeper, making the plant stronger.
Planting your Buddleia the right way is very important for it to grow well in its new place. Before you plant, find a good spot with the right conditions for strong growth.
Look for a place that gets plenty of sunlight and has soil that drains well. This will help stop water from building up and causing root rot. Also, think about how big your Buddleia will get when its fully grown. Make sure there is enough space for it to expand without being squeezed in.
Choosing the Right Spot in Your Garden
Choosing the right place for your Buddleia is very important. It affects both its health and the look of your garden. Buddleia plants grow best in sunny spots that are well-drained. In North America, the southern and western areas often provide the best conditions.
When picking a location, focus on areas that get at least six hours of full sun each day. Buddleias can handle some shade, but they will have the brightest flowers when they are in the sun. Not enough sunlight can cause weak growth and fewer blooms. It can also make them more likely to get sick.
Also, think about how big the Buddleia type will grow. Make sure there is enough space for your Buddleia to thrive without crowding other plants. Having enough space helps air circulate, which is important for stopping fungus.
Planting your Buddleia the right way is very important for its growth. Follow these steps to plant it well:
- Get ready to plant. Dig a hole twice as wide and twice as deep as your Buddleia’s root ball. This lets the roots grow and spread out.
- Change the soil: Add compost or other organic materials if your soil is too clay-based or doesn’t have enough organic matter. This will help improve drainage and soil health.
- Place the plant: Take the Buddleia carefully out of its pot. Loosen any roots that are circling the ball. Make sure the root ball is level with the ground before putting it in the hole.
Finally, fill the hole with the improved soil. Firm it gently around the roots to get rid of any air pockets. Water your newly planted Buddleia well. This helps settle the soil and reduces the shock from moving it. Finally, putting mulch around the plant’s base can help keep water in and keep weeds from growing.
6 Proven Winners Butterfly Bush varieties – Buddleia
FAQ
How big do Nanho purple butterfly bushes get?
‘Nanho Purple’ is a butterfly bush cultivar which features lavender-purple flowers on a compact plant. This is a deciduous shrub that grows to be 3 to 5 feet tall if it isn’t cut back in late winter and 2 to 3 feet tall if it is.
What is the difference between a butterfly bush and a Buddleia?
There are a group of plants called Buddleja and Buddleia that are butterfly bushes. These plants were named after an English botanist called Reverend Adam Buddle. The name “Buddleja” was first spelled that way, but “Buddleia” is a later spelling that has become more common.
What are the disadvantages of a butterfly bush?
butterfly bush contributes to the collapse of food webs
“If you plant butterfly bush, and not native [species], then right away you’re removing at least 75% of the food that is supporting the biodiversity that’s out there.” And these critters need all the help they can get.
Where is the best place to plant Buddleia?
Where to plant. Plant hardy buddleja (see Before you get started above) in ground in a sunny spot– one that receives good light for most of the day – as they will flower best here. Avoid very windy sites, even for hardy B.