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Butterfly bush and Butterfly weed: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Butterfly bush Buddleja davidii	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Butterfly weed Asclepias tuberosa
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Tibet and central to southern China	Eastern and southern United StatesSee state guides
Sunlight
Full sun	Full sun
Soil moisture
Average moisture; well-drained soil; tolerates some dryness	Dry soil / Average moisture
Mature height
6–12 ft	1–2 ft
Mature spread
4–15 ft	1–1½ ft
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	3–9
Season of interest
Summer–fall	Summer
Garden & wildlife value
Nectar feeds adult butterflies and other pollinators; its leaves do not feed native butterfly caterpillars.	Unlike butterfly bush, this native milkweed feeds monarch caterpillars as well as nectar-seeking butterflies.
Growing notes
A large, fast-growing shrub that can self-seed into natural areas. Compact and sterile cultivars differ from the species.	Much smaller than a butterfly bush; plant a group for a similar splash of color. Needs drainage.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.