Silver fountain butterfly bush
Buddleja alternifolia
Silver fountain butterfly bush (Buddleja alternifolia) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8–12 ft tall and 8–12 ft wide, fast-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Fountain-form arching habit. Silver foliage, fragrant purple blooms cover the plant in late spring.
low to medium water8–12 ft tall and 8–12 ft wideXeric / water-wisePlant Select®Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: Wouter Hagens
- Photo 2: "Buddleja alternifolia 2" by Cillas is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 3: "Buddleja alternifolia" by wallygrom is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 4: "Buddleja alternifolia" by wallygrom is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 5: "Buddleja alternifolia" by wallygrom is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 6: "Buddleja alternifolia & Phlomis italica" by peganum is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 8–12 ft tall and 8–12 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~12 ft apart (8 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Fast
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- purple
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer. Unlike B. davidii, this species blooms on old wood, prune only after flowering.
- Pruning: light.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Silver fountain butterfly bush good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Silver fountain butterfly bush is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Silver fountain butterfly bush get?
- It matures to about 8–12 ft tall and 8–12 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Silver fountain butterfly bush?
- Space Silver fountain butterfly bush about 12 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 8 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Silver fountain butterfly bush hardy on the Front Range?
- Silver fountain butterfly bush is hardy in USDA 5–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does Silver fountain butterfly bush need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Silver fountain butterfly bush grow?
- Silver fountain butterfly bush is a fast-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Silver fountain butterfly bush native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Silver fountain butterfly bush deer-resistant?
- Silver fountain butterfly bush is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Silver fountain butterfly bush a Plant Select® winner?
- Yes. Silver fountain butterfly bush is in Plant Select®, the plant-recommendation program run by Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens to highlight plants that thrive in the region.
- How long does Silver fountain butterfly bush bloom?
- Silver fountain butterfly bush blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
