How to Grow Kaleidoscope Butterfly Bush - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team / 2024

Kaleidoscope butterfly bush is a beautiful, easy to grow plant that will add color and life to any garden. It blooms profusely from late spring through fall with intensely colored flowers in a wide range of colors including pink, purple, red, orange, and yellow. The flowers are a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds. This tough, heat and drought tolerant plant is virtually maintenance free.

How to Grow Kaleidoscope Butterfly Bush - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

Buddleja
Butterfly bush
Summer lilac
Orange eye
Trumpet bush

Basic info

Kaleidoscope butterfly bush is a shrub that can reach up to 6 feet in height.
It has violet-colored flowers that bloom from June to September.
The leaves of the plant are ovate in shape and have a toothed margin.
Kaleidoscope butterfly bush is native to China and Japan.
It was introduced to North America in the early 1900s.
The plant is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and can even grow in poorly-drained soils.
Kaleidoscope butterfly bush is adaptable to both full sun and partial shade.
It is a low-maintenance plant and does not require much pruning.
The plant is attractive to both butterflies and bees.
Kaleidoscope butterfly bush is considered to be an invasive species in some parts of the United States.

Related plant:
Abelia Grandiflora Kaleidoscope

Growing Steps

For kaleidoscope butterfly bush, first step is to choose a spot that gets full sun.
Then, prepare the planting area by tilling the soil and adding some organic matter.
Next, you will need to obtain some kaleidoscope butterfly bush seeds or seedlings from a nursery.
Once you have your seeds or seedlings, plant them in the prepared area.
Water the plants regularly and fertilize them as needed.
In the summer, you may need to deadhead the flowers to keep the plant looking tidy.
The kaleidoscope butterfly bush will need to be overwintered in cold climates.
In the spring, the bush will re-emerge and begin to bloom once again.
Enjoy the colorful flowers of your kaleidoscope butterfly bush all season long!
Be sure to share your blooms with others so they can enjoy them too!

Related plant:
Abelia Kaleidoscope

The Soil

About soil condition, the kaleidoscope butterfly bush prefers evenly moist, well-drained soil, but will tolerate some drought. It is adaptable to a range of soil types and is not particular about pH. It is somewhat salt tolerant.

Light requirement

So, like the other butterfly bushes, the kaleidoscope butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii Kaleidoscope) needs full sun for best flowering. It will tolerate some shade, but may not bloom as profusely. This deciduous shrub grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide and is covered with fragrant, multi-colored flowers from summer to fall.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition for kaleidoscope butterfly bush is warm. This plant prefers full sun and well-drained soils. It is tolerant of some drought and salt. Once established, it is a low-maintenance plant.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% or less. If the humidity level is too high, the plant will develop fungal diseases. If the humidity is too low, the plant will become stressed and its growth will be stunted.

Fertilizing

The fertilizer, this family of plant needs, is very important to their growth. The roots of the kaleidoscope butterfly bush are very sensitive to different types of fertilizer. Over-fertilizing can burn the roots, while under-fertilizing will stunt the growth of the plant. The best way to fertilize a kaleidoscope butterfly bush is to use a slow-release fertilizer that is applied in the spring.

Light requirement

Pruning kaleidoscope butterfly bush is best done in early spring, before new growth begins. Cut back all stems to about 6 inches from the ground. This will encourage new growth and help to keep the plant compact and bushy.

The Propagation

Propagation is best done in late summer or early fall by taking stem cuttings. Place the cuttings in a moistened potting mix and keep them moist until they root. Once the plants are rooted, they can be transplanted into the garden.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is between 12 and 24 inches per year. Some varieties may grow more slowly or quickly, depending on the climate and growing conditions. In general, these plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew and leaf spot. These can be controlled by fungicide application and good air circulation around the plant. Other problems include stem canker, root rot, and dieback. These can be controlled by proper irrigation and planting in well-drained soil.

Basics of Growing

If you're growing kaleidoscope butterfly bush (Buddleja x weyeriana 'Sungold'), make sure to give it full sun and well-drained soil.
This shrub can get quite large, so be sure to give it plenty of room to grow.
Butterfly bush is notoriously messy, so you may want to keep it trimmed back to avoid having to deal with too many dropped leaves and branches.
This shrub is attractive to bees, so if you're looking to attract pollinators to your garden, this is a good plant to choose.
To keep your bush looking its best, deadhead the spent flowers regularly.
Like many shrubs, butterfly bush can be susceptible to powdery mildew. To help prevent this, make sure to provide good air circulation around the plant.
This shrub is also attractive to deer, so if you have deer in your area