BiColor Butterfly Bush

Buddleia x weyeriana 'Bicolor'

Nature Hills Nursery

Compact Butterfly Bush Size with 10-Inch Blooms that Pack Maximum Color Impact
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Sweetly Fragrant Flowers
Pollinator-Friendly Shrub
Fast-Growing in Full Sun

$25³³

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Plant Size

Quart Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant your BiColor Butterfly Bush in a spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily. While it can survive in partial shade, you will notice fewer flower spikes and less intense color transitions between the lavender and orange hues.
Soil: These shrubs prefer loose, well drained soil that does not stay soggy after a rainstorm. If you have heavy clay, mix in some organic compost or plant in a raised mound to keep the roots from sitting in standing water.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water your Butterfly Bush twice a week to help the roots dive deep into the soil. Once the plant is fully established, it is remarkably drought tolerant and only needs extra hydration during long dry spells. Inconsistent watering or overly dry conditions will lead to smaller flower clusters and may cause the foliage to wilt or yellow prematurely.

Pruning Tips

This variety blooms exclusively on new wood, so it is best to prune it back hard in late winter or very early spring before new growth appears. Think of it like a fresh start for the season: cutting the stems down to about 12 inches from the ground encourages vigorous new branches and a massive display of summer flowers. Regular deadheading, or removing spent blooms, will also signal the plant to keep producing new flower spikes until the first frost.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring as the first green leaves begin to emerge. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this encourages tender green growth that can be easily damaged by the coming winter cold. A simple, general purpose garden food provides all the nutrients needed for those unique multi colored blooms to shine.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Flowering, Fragrant, Fast-growing, Attracts pollinators, Drought resistant, Cold hardy, Deer-resistant
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	5-6 ft
Width	4-5 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Growth Rate	Fast
Blooms In	Summer, Fall
Flower Color	Purple, Orange
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Buddleia x weyeriana 'Bicolor'
Species	x weyeriana
Cultivar	Bicolor
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR, WA

The gorgeous BiColor Butterfly Bush (Buddleia x weyeriana 'Bicolor') is the first Butterfly Bush to feature multiple colors on each long-lasting bloom! It is an intensely fragrant, long-blooming Butterfly Bush with profuse yellow and lavender blooms - amazing lavender-hued while the buds are just forming, opening to peachy pink with a yellow cast as it ages!

Dazzle all your neighbors and your local butterflies with this unique new Butterfly Bush that blooms from July until fall. The panicles grow up to 10 inches long and show up well against the clean grey-green foliage.

This deciduous perennial bush comes to life in the early spring with a flush of fantastic aromatic gray-green leaves. This by itself makes Butterfly Bush a go-to for gardeners!

As if the colors themselves weren't enough, these flower spikes are delightfully fragrant. You'll find yourself snagging a few of the bush and bringing them inside to brighten up a dining room or kitchen counter. They make lovely additions to floral arrangements!

But leave a majority outside for your butterflies and Hummingbirds! As a nectar resource for Pollinators, Butterfly Bush are at the top of the list!

This upright-growing deciduous shrub is a pretty fast-growing plant. So you won't have to wait long at all to experience its full flower power! Hardy throughout USDA planting zones 5 to 9, these shrubby perennials grow 5-6 feet in height and 4-5 feet in width.

Planting and Application:

The BiColor Butterfly Bush has a compact growth habit, is a deciduous bush, and blooms mid-summer until fall. It provides valuable summer and early fall flowers when few other shrubs are in bloom. Use it as a border specimen or the centerpiece for your pollinator garden!

Use BiColor as a back-row plant in your perennial garden. Not only will it add flair in the later summer months, but even when it isn't in bloom the green will make a stunning backdrop for other perennials!

Do you have a particularly hot and sunny spot in your garden that you just aren't sure what to do with? Add some other plants that attract butterflies with BiColor Butterfly Bush!

You can also use this in mass plantings if you've got more space to cover. Imagine how a field of these mixed-color blooms looks in large swaths glittering with fluttering butterfly wings!

Add it to your smaller Cottage gardens too! All these colors on one plant are a great way to include different looks without spending the space on three different plants. If you've already got a yard full of trees and shrubs fear not. BiColor won't end up blending in. It'll simply add to the beauty already planted!

Plant it near a path or patio and the shrub will provide a delightful fragrance for you, too. It's generally pest-free. This plant blooms on new growth and should be pruned back in spring.

Long Blooming Multi-Colored Blooms
Butterflies, Butterflies & More Butterflies!
Fragrant Flowers
Aromatic Green-Gray Foliage & Compact Growth
Pollinator Heaven & Great Cut Flowers
Stunning in Mass Plantings, Specimens & Pollinator Garden Plants

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Good news for self-proclaimed brown-thumbed gardeners! Butterfly bushes are relatively easy to grow. Especially when you follow these simple instructions:

When picking out a planting site, look for somewhere in full sun with well-drained soil. This will ensure you're shrub is happy right off the bat.

You'll want to water well during the first year to help it get established. Then after that go ahead and cut back on the watering to a normal amount. Mulching around the bottom will help regulate temperatures and conserve water. Buddleia is highly drought tolerant once established.

Buddleia is a woody shrub in warmer areas but acts and is treated much more like Perennials in colder climates. You'll want to cut back all stems, almost to the ground, in late winter before the growing season starts. This helps the plant develop new fresh growth from down low and with lots of branching! Plus, if you deadhead the shrub throughout its blooming season, it'll encourage the plant to produce new flowers and continue blooming.

The cherry on top is that BiColor is often left alone by deer and other wildlife. So your occasional wandering deer will more than likely leave this shrub be!

Full Sun Plants
Well-Drained Soil Needs
Moderate to Low Moisture
Prune in Fall/Late Winter
Deer Resistant & Pest Free

Don't wait another moment to fill your garden with amazing color variety and butterflies! Order a BiColor Butterfly Bush for yourself today at Nature Hills Nursery!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA planting zones is the Bicolor Butterfly Bush hardy in?

The BiColor Butterfly Bush is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. This wide range means it can tolerate winter temperatures from -20°F to 20°F. Plant it in full sun for best blooming performance from July through fall.

How large does the Bicolor Butterfly Bush grow at maturity?

The BiColor Butterfly Bush reaches 5-6 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide at maturity. This fast-growing shrub is hardy in zones 5-9 and works perfectly as a back-row perennial border plant. Shop at Nature Hills for this unique pollinator magnet.

How do I prune Bicolor Butterfly Bush, and when?

Prune BiColor Butterfly Bush in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Cut stems back to 12-18 inches from the ground to encourage vigorous new growth and maximum blooms. This hard pruning promotes the best flower production on new wood from July through fall.

Can I grow Bicolor Butterfly Bush in pots or containers?

Yes, you can grow BiColor Butterfly Bush in large containers since it reaches 5-6 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide. Choose a pot at least 20 gallons with drainage holes to accommodate its mature size. In zones 5-6, move containers to a protected area for winter.

Is Bicolor Butterfly Bush deer resistant?

BiColor Butterfly Bush is generally deer resistant due to its aromatic foliage and flowers. While no plant is 100% deer-proof, the strong fragrance typically deters browsing. For best results in zones 5-9, plant in sunny locations where deer pressure is moderate. Shop at Nature Hills for this pollinator-friendly shrub.

What is the hardiness range for Bicolor Butterfly Bush in cold winters?

BiColor Butterfly Bush is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, tolerating winter temperatures down to -20°F in zone 5. This deciduous shrub dies back to the ground in colder zones but reliably returns each spring. Plant in a protected location and mulch around the base for best winter survival in zones 5-6.

Will Bicolor Butterfly Bush survive in clay soil or poor drainage?

Bicolor Butterfly Bush struggles in clay soil and poor drainage, which can lead to root rot and reduced flowering. This shrub thrives in well-draining soil across zones 5-9. Amend heavy clay with compost or plant in raised beds to improve drainage for best results.