A potted Bicolor Butterfly Bush carries pink and orange flower spikes on a gravel nursery floor among other potted plants.
Nursery grown

Bicolor Butterfly Bush

Buddleja × weyeriana 'Bicolor'

Bicolor Butterfly Bush, Fast-Growing Summer Bloomer

$25.33 Quart
Size
Quantity1

This size is not in the online store yet. Ask about availability and we will reply with current stock.

  • Fast grower reaching 5-8 ft tall in 2-3 seasons, with abundant pink-and-purple flower spikes June through October
  • Drought tolerant once established and resistant to deer; thrives in full sun and average garden soil
  • Adapts to zones 5-9, blooming reliably the first year and persisting as a woody shrub in mild climates
Secure checkoutShips in its nursery containerGrowing guides included

About this plant

This is a deciduous flowering shrub that grows fast and produces abundant two-tone flower spikes from early summer through fall. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for butterfly gardens, cottage gardens, mixed borders, or cutting gardens. Deer typically avoid it thanks to its aromatic foliage. Even zone 5-6 gardeners can grow it as a woody-based perennial. This hybrid sets plenty of seed, and butterfly bush sales are restricted in parts of the Pacific Northwest, so deadhead spent blooms and check your local extension rules before planting.

Your plant comes in either a quart or #1 container, ready to go into the ground or a large pot. Plant on arrival in full sun and well-drained soil. Water moderately the first few weeks, then let natural rainfall sustain it once established. This shrub grows roughly 2-3 feet per year, reaching full size in about two to three growing seasons.

How Bicolor Butterfly Bush Fits In

Space plants 4 to 6 feet apart and full sun does the rest.

Informal hedge

Line up several along a fence for a loose, flowering screen about 5 to 8 feet tall.

Cottage mix

Tuck it among lavender, salvia and coreopsis for a relaxed, bee-friendly planting.

Vase flowers

Two-tone spikes open from early summer on, which gives you stems to cut for months.

Big pot

Choose a container of 15 gallons or more, and expect extra watering and winter protection.

Not ideal for: Part shade weakens both flowering and shape, and heavy wet clay does not suit it.

Good to know: Self-seeds freely, so deadhead spent blooms and check your extension rules where sales are restricted.

Bicolor Butterfly Bush at a glance

Botanical nameBuddleja × weyeriana 'Bicolor'
Plant typedeciduous flowering shrub
USDA zones5-9 (dies back to the ground in zone 5-6 and regrows as a woody-based perennial; fully woody shrub in 7-9)
Mature height5-8 ft, though some unpruned specimens in mild climates reach 10-12 ft
Mature width4-6 ft
Sunfull sun (6+ hours); blooms and habit both decline noticeably in part shade
Watermoderate at establishment, then drought tolerant; avoid standing water
Bloom timeearly summer through fall, roughly June-September/October depending on region and pruning timing
Bloom colortwo-tone spikes: lavender buds that open to peachy pink with a yellow cast
Growth ratefast, roughly 2-3 ft of new growth per year on established plants
Deer resistancegood resistance (aromatic foliage is generally avoided)
Best planting timespring after last frost is preferred; fall planting also works in zones 7-9

Container sizes explained

Quart / QTA 4 inch pot, roughly one quart of soil. A young starter plant, the most economical way to buy several.
#1 / 1 GallonA trade one gallon pot (about 6.5 inches). One to two seasons older than a quart, with an established root system.

Questions before you buy

Should I start with a quart or #1 container?

The quart size is a good entry point if you're budget-conscious or starting a new bed. The #1 container arrives more established and gives you a quicker head start toward mature size, though either size will bloom the first year. For large-scale plantings, consider starting with quarts and spacing them 4-6 feet apart.

When should I plant my butterfly bush after it arrives?

Plant as soon as it arrives in spring or early summer. The more growing season it has before fall, the better established the root system becomes. If planting in late summer or early fall, water more frequently through the first month to help it settle in before winter dormancy.

How big does the Bicolor butterfly bush get?

Mature height is typically 5-8 feet and spread is 4-6 feet, reached in about 2-3 growing seasons. In mild climates with no pruning, some specimens can reach 10-12 feet. Regular pruning keeps it more compact and encourages fuller branching.

How much sun does it need?

Full sun (6+ hours daily) is essential. Blooms and overall plant habit decline noticeably if grown in part shade. Choose a spot that receives direct sun most of the day for the best flower production and shape.

Which hardiness zones does it tolerate?

This shrub thrives in zones 5-9. In zones 5-6, it dies back to the ground each winter and regrows as a woody-based perennial that blooms fresh each summer. In zones 7-9, it persists as a fully woody shrub year-round.

What does the plant need during its first growing season?

Water moderately during the first few weeks to establish roots, then reduce frequency as the plant becomes drought tolerant. Avoid standing water and heavy clay soil. A large container planting (15+ gallons) works well if you prefer growing in a pot, but plan for more frequent watering than in-ground plants.

Growing guides for Bicolor Butterfly Bush

Young, unflowered Bicolor Butterfly Bush stems with gray-green leaves grow in black pots in long nursery rows.

Bicolor Butterfly Bush Buying Guide: What to Look For

Covers quality indicators, container sizes, and where to buy online or locally

Beside a brick walk, one long lilac and orange Bicolor Butterfly Bush flower spike stands among dark green leaves.

Is Bicolor Butterfly Bush Real? Its Confusing Names Explained

The two-tone bloom is genuine, and the names, history, and tags are untangled

Kneeling beside a gravel path, a man in a red shirt lowers a potted Bicolor Butterfly Bush into a dug hole.

How to Plant a Bicolor Butterfly Bush the Right Way

Success after planting depends on timing, spacing, and care that follows

Fresh green shoots fill a clump of newly sprouting Bicolor Butterfly Bush stems on gravel near boulders and a stone wall.

Bicolor Butterfly Bush Care: A Complete Growing Guide

Pruning, watering, and troubleshooting for zones 5 to 9 growers

A tall, arching Bicolor Butterfly Bush with spent flower spikes sprawls beside a brick house and a hosta.

How Big Does a Bicolor Butterfly Bush Really Get?

Reaches 5 to 8 feet, with 2 to 3 feet of yearly growth

Narrow-leaved Bicolor Butterfly Bush stems arch with pink and orange blooms beside a stucco house and gravel drive.

Bicolor Butterfly Bush Growth Habit: Arching or Upright?

Its arching silhouette, whether heavy clusters need staking, and where to place it

Cut-back woody Bicolor Butterfly Bush stems show new green shoots in black mulch by a white house and brick walk.

Bicolor Butterfly Bush Hardiness Zones: Where It Thrives

Winter hardiness runs from herbaceous regrowth in zone 5 to woody shrubs

In a blue-green glazed pot by white porch steps, a Bicolor Butterfly Bush shows purple and orange flower spikes.

Growing Bicolor Butterfly Bush in Pots and Containers

Pot size, care tips, and instructions for a thriving potted plant