Compare plants.

Butterfly bush and Wild senna: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Butterfly bush Buddleja davidii	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Wild senna Senna hebecarpa
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Tibet and central to southern China	SE. Canada to Central & E. U.S.A.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun	Full sun
Soil moisture
Average moisture; well-drained soil; tolerates some dryness	Moist to wet / Average moisture
Mature height
6–12 ft	4–6 ft
Mature spread
4–15 ft	3–4 ft
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	4–9
Season of interest
Summer–fall	Summer
Garden & wildlife value
Nectar feeds adult butterflies and other pollinators; its leaves do not feed native butterfly caterpillars.	Native leaves feed sulphur butterfly caterpillars, while flowers supply pollen for bumblebees.
Growing notes
A large, fast-growing shrub that can self-seed into natural areas. Compact and sterile cultivars differ from the species.	A tall perennial for moist soil; stems may flop in very fertile sites, and seedheads can produce volunteers.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.