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Butterfly bush and Firebush: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Butterfly bush Buddleja davidii	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Firebush Hamelia patens
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Tibet and central to southern China	Tropical & Subtropical America.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun	Full sun
Soil moisture
Average moisture; well-drained soil; tolerates some dryness	Average moisture / Dry soil
Mature height
6–12 ft	Up to 15 ft
Mature spread
4–15 ft	Spread varies with pruning
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	8–11
Season of interest
Summer–fall	Late spring–fall; longer in frost-free gardens
Garden & wildlife value
Nectar feeds adult butterflies and other pollinators; its leaves do not feed native butterfly caterpillars.	Red native flowers feed hummingbirds and butterflies, followed by berries for birds.
Growing notes
A large, fast-growing shrub that can self-seed into natural areas. Compact and sterile cultivars differ from the species.	Choose Florida-native Hamelia patens stock; this can become a large shrub in frost-free gardens.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew Florida growing guidance: UF/IFAS

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.