Beloved Buddleia

Buddleia, commonly known as the butterfly bush, is a flowering shrub that has won the hearts of many a gardener and pollinator lover for a very long time. Buddleia davidii, the most commonly grown species of butterfly bush, is renowned for its vibrant summer blooms, ease of care, and ability to attract butterflies. While butterfly bush is beloved for these reasons, B. davidii has a dirty little secret: it is invasive! Its ability to self-seed prolifically allows it to spread rapidly, sometimes outcompeting native vegetation. To mitigate this, gardeners are encouraged to plant sterile cultivars that do not produce viable seeds.

The Lo & Behold® and Miss Series of Sterile Butterfly Bushes

Overview of Sterile Series

The Lo & Behold® and Miss Series are notable for offering sterile varieties of Buddleia davidii, addressing concerns about the invasive nature of the species. These two series provide gardeners with beautiful, non-invasive options that maintain the ornamental and pollinator-attracting qualities of traditional butterfly bushes. Lo & Behold Series The Lo & Behold series offers a range of dwarf butterfly bushes that are sterile, meaning they don’t produce seeds and thus won’t spread invasively. Despite their sterility, they are still highly attractive to pollinators, especially butterflies and bees, and bloom continuously throughout the summer months. Varieties:

1. Lo & Behold ‘Blue Chip’
   • Color:Blue-purple
   • Size:5-2.5 feet tall and wide
2. Lo & Behold ‘Blue Chip Jr.’
   • Color:Lavender blue
   • Size:5-2 feet tall and wide
3. Lo & Behold ‘Ice Chip’
   • Color:White
   • Size:1-2 feet tall and wide
4. Lo & Behold ‘Lilac Chip’
   • Color:Lavender-pink
   • Size:5-2 feet tall and wide
5. Lo & Behold ‘Pink Micro Chip’
   • Color:Pink
   • Size:1-2 feet tall and wide
6. Lo & Behold ‘Purple Haze’
   • Color:Deep purple
   • Size:2-3 feet tall and wide

Miss Series

The Miss series also features sterile butterfly bushes in a more standard size. It offers a larger shrub with beautiful blooms that attract a range of pollinators, including butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds. Varieties:

1. Miss Molly
   • Color:Rich magenta
   • Size:4-5 feet tall and wide
2. Miss Pearl
   • Color:Pure white
   • Size:4-5 feet tall and wide
3. Miss Ruby
   • Color:Vivid ruby red
   • Size:4-5 feet tall and wide

Attractiveness to Pollinators Both series are designed to maintain the key feature that makes Buddleia davidii so popular: their appeal to pollinators. The dense clusters of flowers are particularly attractive to butterflies, which are drawn to the nectar. Bees also frequently visit these plants, making them a great addition to a pollinator-friendly garden. Hummingbirds have been known to visit the larger varieties in the Miss series, especially those with bright, vibrant colors like Miss Molly and Miss Ruby. Strader’s Garden Centers continue to provide you with up-to-date plant information as well as an incredible selection of plants to satisfy the most eco-conscious gardener.