Garden: My Butterfly Bush is Blooming! Backyard Nature Oasis Update
I’ve had a love affair with the butterfly bush since I visited Disneyland in 2010 and took the photo below (also see: Flowers, Cats, and Butterflies at Disneyland & Disney’s California Adventure for more photos). After trying to put a bush in my own yard and running into problems with it being considered a noxious weed (seriously!?!), I finally was able to purchase one last year. Unfortunately due to an unusually wet summer which boosted the insects, it didn’t grow very well, was eaten alive despite our non-toxic efforts, and only flowered for a few days before it died back.
But this year that same butterfly bush is doing spectacularly! It’s approximately 12′ tall and about 8-10′ wide and I couldn’t love it more! It’s in an area that it’s been allowed to take over – it’s contained because it’s surrounded by a walkway.
My garden smells amazing thanks to my enormous Butterfly Bush
A few solar lights are tucked into the bush to illuminate it’s color at night, too
It reaches up to the deck so we’re greeted with its sweet scent every time we step outside – unfortunately something has started eating it again, but this year I think it’s hardy enough to take a bit of chewing.
A few cuttings go bring the scent inside.
They impart their heavenly scent into our home – not strong; just right
My Butterfly Bush and More
We’re finally getting that backyard oasis we’ve been working towards for a few years. Most of the other flowers have come and gone that we planted last year, but this one is looking strong and doing well with just the application of Safer Soap. We also had to pull most of our seed bird feeders as they were attracting rats from the park down the road- disgusting! I miss the Stellar Jays and the Juncos though. Darn rats!
Here’s hoping this is just the first of many years of enjoyment for me, the bees, birds, and butterflies!
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I had a couple of Butterfly bushes and they got cut down (long story), and I so miss them. Yours is beautiful!
Ah, sad! I’m in love and I want one in every color – hubby? Not so much. He doesn’t like how big they get.
Gorgeous!
Thanks Penelope and have fun in NYC!
Those are gorgeous and I imagine they smell lovely.
They do, Billie!
So pretty!
Those are beautiful Connie!
Thanks Anjanette – we love them and if I had my way, we’d have three more of them
Beautiful!!
Thanks Theresa and congrats on the 18 years of bliss!
So pretty! I wish butterlfies would come to my yard! Maybe I should plant some flowers! ha!
That helps for sure! We planted quite a few flowers they like last year.
That is just exquisite! I want to plant them outside my house now too. So, so pretty!
The scent is so light and beautiful. I love them.
so beautiful I can almost smell them enjoy
Thanks Tricia! We love the color. So soft.