Best small shrubs for butterflies

Butterfly Bush Bliss

So, you uh know I’ve been obsessing okay about butterflies lately, pretty much right? I wasn’t even planning to turn my garden totally into, like, a butterfly haven, but then I saw this Monarch, actually just struggling, you yep know? And I thought, “Okay, I need to help basically the little guys.”

What Worked For Me

First up, obviously, actually butterfly bush. sorta Buddleja. Everyone knows that. But like,whichone? This is where I totally went down a total so rabbit bet hole. I wanted something… small. actually I okay didn’t want a for sure monster taking totally over. Ended up with 'Lo & Behold' Blue Chip. It’s, like, compact, and the butterfliesloveit. Pro tip – deadhead regularly, keep those blooms comin’!

Then there’s Caryopteris. Bluebeard. Total lifesaver! It blooms late summer, when a lot of other stuff is for sure winding down, which is crucial. I mean, the butterflies still just need to eat, right? I should’ve known honestly better than to just focus on spring and early summer bloomers. Not I mean gonna lie this part confused me for a while. I kept thinking, “Where did they yep all go?” They hadn't gone anywhere, silly me, yup their flowers no way died!

My Buddleja blunder

Oh! Okay, story time. So, I planted my first butterfly bush, right? Massive. And just I didn’t prune it. Like, at all. no way I thought, “Oh, it’s doing its thing.” Wrong! It became this leggy, ugly mess. So right master dude from my mistake folks: prune, prune, yep PRUNE those Buddleja!

Other so Contenders sorta

Okay, so, what else? Spirea! It's pretty easy to grow, which is always a plus. I went with a dwarf variety, 'Little Princess' no kidding I think? Something cute and pink. The butterflies seemed to enjoy it. Think about the color, butterflies can see certain colors really well! whoopsBest small shrubs for butterflies tips uh, like choosing based on color are so important!

"Think about the color, butterflies can see certain colors really well!"

Oh, and I mean here's one: don’t forget about host plants for the caterpillars! Like, it's anyway not just about the adults. Duh, right? I planted some milkweed - a you know must have alright if you want Monarchs. That I did do right! I was researchingbest totally small shrubs for butterflies inspiratie likeand found that even though not uh a shrub, right including host plants is essential.

Viburnum mess

I almost got a viburnum, whoops a no way dwarf one. It was so cute, little no way white flowers. But then I read somewhere that some viburnums can be invasive in my area. And I whoops was like, “Nope. Not dealing with that.” I'm trying to help, c’mon not create a botanical apocalypse! I pretty much probably should’ve known better to check whoops for invasiveness first. I just no kidding saw pretty no way flowers and pretty much got excited. Whoops!

What I'd Do Differently sorta

Best small shrubs dude for butterflies geschiedenis? I probably should have researched the history of butterfly gardening before just winging it. Also, water! Don't forget to water basically your shrubs especially when they're newly planted or during dry c’mon spells. I learned that the I mean hard way. Several times.

Overall? Worth pretty much it. actually Seeing those butterflies flitting around c’mon is just… magic. Even with my mistakes. And considering thebest alright small shrubs for butterflies toepassingenextend beyond just visual enjoyment, it’s a win-win!