Bicolor Butterfly Bush
Grow vibrant butterfly blooms from summer through fall
About Bicolor Butterfly Bush
The Bicolor Butterfly Bush is a fast-growing deciduous shrub prized for its long seasons of fragrant, two-tone pink and purple flower spikes. From early summer through fall, it blooms prolifically, attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Its colorful display and low maintenance make it a favorite for cottage gardens and mixed borders.
Here you'll find everything you need to grow Bicolor Butterfly Bush successfully. We cover site selection, planting, seasonal pruning, and year-round care, including pest and disease management, watering practices, and keeping your shrub full and floriferous. Shop for plants suited to zones 5 through 9, or start from seed.
Buy Bicolor Butterfly Bush
Nursery-grown plants shipped in their container, with our planting and care guides to go with them.
From $25.33
Sizes: Quart, #1
Shop Bicolor Butterfly BushQuick facts
- USDA zones
- 5-9 (dies back to the ground in zone 5-6 and regrows as a woody-based perennial; fully woo
- Mature height
- 5-8 ft, though some unpruned specimens in mild climates reach 10-12 ft
- Mature width
- 4-6 ft
- Sun
- full sun (6+ hours); blooms and habit both decline noticeably in part shade
- Water
- moderate at establishment, then drought tolerant; avoid standing water
- Bloom time
- early summer through fall, roughly June-September/October depending on region and pruning
- Bloom color
- two-tone spikes: lavender buds that open to peachy pink with a yellow cast
- Growth rate
- fast, roughly 2-3 ft of new growth per year on established plants
- Deer resistance
- good resistance (aromatic foliage is generally avoided)
- Plant type
- deciduous flowering shrub
- Fast-growing deciduous shrub that reblooms all summer into fall
- Two-tone pink-and-purple flower spikes give it the 'bicolor' name
- One of the best plants for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds
- Blooms on new wood, so hard pruning each spring keeps it full and floriferous
- Drought tolerant once established and generally deer resistant
- Fragrant, honey-scented flowers
- Invasive/restricted in some Pacific Northwest states due to self-seeding
Growing guides
Core guideBicolor Butterfly Bush Care: A Complete Growing Guide
Learn how to grow Bicolor Butterfly Bush successfully. Complete care guide covering planting, pruning, watering, and common problems for zon
Core guideHow to Plant a Bicolor Butterfly Bush the Right Way
Learn how to plant Bicolor Butterfly Bush the right way. Step-by-step guide with timing, soil prep, spacing, and post-planting care for succ
Core guideBicolor Butterfly Bush Hardiness Zones: Where It Thrives
Bicolor Butterfly Bush thrives in USDA zones 5-9. Learn how winter hardiness varies by zone, from herbaceous regrowth in zone 5 to fully woo
Core guideWhen and How to Prune a Bicolor Butterfly Bush
How to prune bicolor butterfly bush: timing, step-by-step instructions, and common mistakes to avoid for dense, flowering shrubs.
Plant specificBicolor Butterfly Bush Blooms: Colors, Timing and Season
Learn when Bicolor Butterfly Bush blooms, the colors to expect, and how to extend flowering through late fall with deadheading and seasonal
Core guideBicolor Butterfly Bush Buying Guide: What to Look For
Learn what to look for when buying bicolor butterfly bush. Quality indicators, container sizes, prices, and where to buy online or locally.
Core guideSun Requirements for Bicolor Butterfly Bush: Full Sun Guide
Bicolor Butterfly Bush needs 6+ hours of direct sun daily for best blooms. Learn how to assess your garden, handle partial shade, and troubl
Core guideWatering Bicolor Butterfly Bush: Establishment to Mature Plants
Learn how to water Bicolor Butterfly Bush from planting through maturity. Establishment schedules, drought tolerance tips, and overwatering
Core guideBest Soil for Bicolor Butterfly Bush: pH, Drainage and Amendments
Learn the ideal soil conditions for Bicolor Butterfly Bush: pH, drainage requirements, and how to amend clay or poor soil for healthier bloo
Core guideHow Big Does a Bicolor Butterfly Bush Really Get?
Bicolor Butterfly Bush mature size guide: 5-8 feet tall, 2-3 feet yearly growth, zone impacts, spacing, and pruning for size control.
Core guideBicolor Butterfly Bush Pests, Diseases and Common Problems
Learn how to prevent and treat bicolor butterfly bush pests, diseases, and problems. Spider mites, root rot, powdery mildew, winter dieback
Core guideLandscape Design Ideas for Bicolor Butterfly Bush
Discover 5 landscape design ideas for Bicolor Butterfly Bush, including companion planting, garden layout, and spacing tips for zones 5-9.
Bicolor Butterfly Bush questions
When should I prune my bicolor butterfly bush?
Prune hard in late winter or very early spring, cutting stems back to about 12-18 inches, since flowers form on new growth.
Why isn't my butterfly bush blooming?
Usually too much shade, no pruning (leading to legginess), or overfertilizing with high-nitrogen fertilizer at the expense of blooms.
Is bicolor butterfly bush invasive?
The parent species can self-seed aggressively and is restricted in parts of the Pacific Northwest and UK; deadheading spent blooms reduces the risk, and it's worth checking local regulations before planting.
Will it survive winter in colder zones?
In zones 5-6 it often dies back to the ground and regrows from the roots each spring, still flowering the same season since it blooms on new wood.
How much sun does it need?
Full sun is best; it tolerates light shade but flowering and form both suffer without at least 6 hours of direct sun.