Wow, each week it is getting harder for me to decide which plant looks the best in the Wilson Display Garden, located at the Agricultural Center, 1806 South Goldsboro Street. I have seen many visitors stopping to look at the garden. If you visit during office hours come in to get a map of the garden. The map has listed all the plants found in the garden.

The plant of the month is Buddleia davidii or Butterfly Bush. This large shrub is one of the first plants that greets visitors to the garden.

This shrub can reach 10-15 feet in height but can be prune yearly to be maintained at 5-10 feet. The plant grows as large arching canes and since the plant flowers on new wood prune back yearly can be beneficial. The leaves of the butterfly bush are quite attractive and are blue-green in color. Butterfly bushes are fast growing and can make a nice hedge along a fence. Since the plant leaves can be deciduous in cool winters you would not want to rely on Butterfly Bush for complete privacy.

The flowers of the Butterfly Bush are heavenly fragrant to humans as well as to butterflies. There are many shades of purple to choose from deep purple, lilac, or lavender. Other flowers colors include pink, white, and yellow. Deadheading spent flowers on this plant is a must. Last year I did not deadhead my bushes at home but the Master Gardener Volunteers did. My Butterfly bush stopped blooming in early July, the bushes in the Wilson Display Garden bloomed until frost. So I learned my lesson and I have been deadheading my bushes at home this year.

Butterfly bush is the perfect gift for the garden without a green thumb. It will grow almost anywhere but prefers well- drained, moist, fertile soil and full sun.

Although most people consider Butterfly Bush insect and disease free, spider mites can be a serious pest. For the past two summers spider mite damage on Butterfly Bush has been very evident. Spider mite populations can be decrease through organic means such as hosing the foliage down with water or with an insecticide.

Butterfly Bush has many different uses it makes a welcomed addition in the shrub or perennial border, can be used as cut flowers, and attracts butterflies.

Some suggested cultivars from a research study conducted at the University of Georgia are 'Nanho Alba' and 'White Bouquet' (white), 'Pink Delight' and 'Summer Beauty' (pink), 'Empire Blue' and 'Deep Lavender' (lavender or blue), 'Black Knight' and 'Royal Red' (purple) and 'Honeycomb' (yellow). Since flower colors vary you may want to purchase these plants when in flower to make sure you are getting the color shade you desire. Plants will bloom the first year after planting.

The Wilson Display Garden has two cultivars of Butterfly Bush, 'Pink Delight' and 'Nanho Alba'.

If you need a flowering shrub for the yard consider a Butterfly Bush. To learn more about butterfly gardening come to the next garden lunch club on July 7 from 12:15 noon until 1 PM. Bring a bag lunch and learn a little about gardening.

Home gardening questions can be answered by Master Gardener Volunteers on Mondays and Fridays from 1-3 PM at 237-0113.

Date Created: 12/11/00.

Updated 8/25/03