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Butterfly bush and New York ironweed: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Butterfly bush Buddleja davidii	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE New York ironweed Vernonia noveboracensis
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Tibet and central to southern China	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	5–8 ft
Mature spread
4–15 ft	3–4 ft
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	5–9
Season of interest
Summer–fall	Summer–Fall
Garden & wildlife value
Nectar feeds adult butterflies and other pollinators; its leaves do not feed native butterfly caterpillars.	Native flowers feed bees and butterflies, and seedheads feed songbirds.
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 ground; leave some hollow stems standing for nesting bees.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.