Buddleja White Profusion - The Ultimate Butterfly Magnet

Butterfly Bush White Profusion, Buddleia davidii White Profusion

Looking for a shrub that delivers fragrance, striking blooms, and a steady stream of butterflies? Buddleja White Profusion could be just what your garden needs. This vigorous, wildlife-friendly plant is a real showstopper, offering clouds of pure white flowers from mid-summer to early autumn. Whether you’re creating a pollinator paradise or simply want a fast-growing, low-maintenance plant, this elegant white form is a brilliant addition to any UK garden.

This variety of Buddleja davidii is recognised for its impressive white flower spikes, which appear in long panicles. The blooms are highly fragrant, making them a joy to walk past on a warm summer’s day. This deciduous shrub produces abundant nectar, attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators from midsummer to early autumn.

‘White Profusion’ has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit for good reason. It combines beauty, resilience, and ease of care. Its grey-green, lance-shaped leaves offer a soft contrast to the bright white flowers, creating a light, airy presence in borders and mixed planting schemes. Reaching around 3m in height and spread, it’s ideal as a backdrop plant or as a focal point.

This shrub flowers on new growth, so the best time to prune is in early spring, around March. Prune hard by cutting all stems back to 30–60cm from the base. This encourages buds to form from the base and produces strong new growth, resulting in larger flower spikes.

Deadheading throughout the summer will prolong the bloom period and reduce unwanted self-seeding. Always use sharp secateurs, and cut just above a strong pair of buds. Annual pruning also prevents the shrub from becoming leggy or top-heavy.

Yes, although this is a large, fast-growing shrub, it can be grown in a container if given the right conditions. Use a pot at least 50cm wide and deep. Fill it with a loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3, with added grit for drainage.

Feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Container-grown Buddleja may require additional protection in winter to prevent root damage from frost. Refresh the compost every few years to maintain vigour.

Absolutely. Once established, this shrub is very low maintenance. It rarely needs watering and generally takes care of itself, aside from a yearly prune. Mulch around the base of the plant in spring with well-rotted compost to improve soil condition and lock in moisture.

It’s also fairly pest-free. Aphids may appear on new growth, but a quick spray of water or application of organic soap usually solves the problem. Keep weeds away from the base and remove any dead wood as needed.

The flowers are pure white, forming long, tapering panicles that can reach up to 30cm in length. These flower spikes contrast beautifully with the shrub’s grey-green leaves. Their upright form and brilliant colour make them stand out in any border.

The flowers are fragrant and particularly attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. They bloom continuously from July into September or even October, especially with regular deadheading.

With ideal conditions, the shrub reaches a height and spread of around 3m. It has arching stems and a vigorous growth habit, which gives it a graceful, airy shape. Its size makes it well-suited to the back of borders or as a screening plant.

Regular pruning helps maintain a bushy, compact form and keeps it in check. Despite its size, it doesn’t require support thanks to its strong, woody stems.

This plant is often referred to as the butterfly bush for good reason. Its nectar-rich flowers are a significant food source for butterflies in summer. The long panicles are easy for butterflies to land on and feed from.

By growing Buddleja White Profusion, you’re supporting UK pollinators and encouraging biodiversity. It’s one of the easiest ways to add life and movement to your garden. Just avoid spraying pesticides near the plant to protect its visitors.

Yes, it’s a deciduous shrub so that it will shed its leaves in late autumn. This is entirely normal and gives you a great opportunity to prune hard in early spring.

The plant will look bare in winter, but don’t worry—new growth bursts from the base as soon as the weather warms up. Adding a winter mulch can help protect the roots in colder areas.

While I’m not growing White Profusion in my garden at the moment, it’s a variety I’d happily recommend to anyone looking to add brightness, movement, and wildlife appeal to a sunny border. I’ve seen it used to great effect in both traditional and more naturalistic garden styles, where its long white flower panicles stand out against greenery. It’s a strong performer that asks for very little in return—just a good prune in spring and space to flourish. If you’re after a butterfly bush that combines elegance with reliability, this one’s hard to beat.

Q: What is Buddleja davidii White Profusion, and why is it popular?

A: Buddleja White Profusion is a vigorous, deciduous shrub prized for its long, elegant panicles of pure white flowers with soft yellow eyes. As a butterfly bush, it’s highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects, making it an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly gardens. Blooming from July to September, this fast-growing plant offers a striking contrast against its green leaves and arching habit. Its hardy, low-maintenance nature, combined with its long flowering season and strong pollinator appeal, makes it a standout ornamental addition in borders, wildlife areas, or mixed planting schemes.

Q: Where should I plant Buddleja davidii White Profusion?

A: Plant this butterfly bush in a sunny or partially shaded position with well-drained soil. It thrives in open spaces that receive at least six hours of sunlight per day, which promotes optimal flowering. Avoid planting in areas prone to waterlogging, and improve heavy soils with garden compost before planting. Its graceful, arching branches need room to spread, so avoid tight spaces or overshadowing by larger shrubs. Ideal companions include herbaceous perennials that enjoy similar conditions. This deciduous shrub, with its long flower spikes, is a real magnet for butterflies in any well-planned garden.

Q: How and when should I prune Buddleja davidii White Profusion?

A: Prune Buddleja davidii White Profusion in early spring, just as new growth begins. Cut all stems back to a low framework near ground level (approximately 30–60 cm) to stimulate vigorous new shoots and encourage a bushy habit. This ensures maximum flower production on the current season’s growth. Avoid pruning in autumn, as it can leave fresh shoots vulnerable to frost. Regularly deadheading spent flower spikes throughout the summer will prolong blooming and reduce self-seeding. Pruning also helps keep the shrub at a manageable size and improves its overall shape and health.

Q: Is Buddleja davidii White Profusion easy to grow?

A: Yes, this variety is straightforward to grow and well-suited to both beginner and experienced gardeners. It is drought-tolerant once established and performs well in most garden soils as long as they are well-drained. The shrub is generally disease-free and resilient, although occasional aphid infestations on young shoots may occur. These can be treated with a strong spray of water or organic insecticidal soap. A light mulch of compost in spring will help improve soil structure and retain moisture. This low-maintenance plant truly rewards minimal effort with an abundance of blooms.

Q: How tall does Buddleja davidii White Profusion grow?

A: Buddleja White Profusion is a fast-growing deciduous shrub that can reach a height and spread of around 2–3 metres. Its arching branches and bushy form create an elegant silhouette, particularly in borders or as a focal point in wildlife-friendly planting schemes. Annual pruning helps keep it compact and encourages the growth of fresh flowering stems. Despite its vigorous growth, it remains well-behaved in most garden settings, and it’s easy to manage with routine care. Its size and form also make it an excellent backdrop to lighter-coloured flowering shrubs or ornamental grasses.

Q: When does Buddleja White Profusion flower?

A: This butterfly bush typically blooms from July to September, offering a long season of fragrant, nectar-rich flowers. The white flowers form in massive clusters along arching stems, and their honey-scented blooms are highly attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. Flowering is most prolific in sunny positions, and regular deadheading can help extend the display into early autumn. This late-summer flowering shrub adds structure and seasonal interest to the garden while supporting beneficial insects during a crucial feeding period.

Q: What should I feed Buddleja davidii White Profusion with?

A: Feed Buddleja White Profusion in early spring with a general-purpose, slow-release feed to support vigorous growth and flowering. You can also mulch around the base with garden compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility and moisture retention. Avoid overfeeding, as this can lead to excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers. For container-grown plants, feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid feed. With modest feeding and a sunny site, this flowering shrub thrives with minimal fuss.

Q: Is Buddleja davidii White Profusion good for pollinators?

A: Absolutely. This butterfly bush is one of the best plants for attracting bees and butterflies. Its pure white flower spikes are rich in nectar and bloom over a long period, offering a reliable food source for pollinators from midsummer into early autumn. By planting Buddleja davidii White Profusion, you’ll be making a valuable contribution to garden biodiversity. To maximise its benefits, avoid using pesticides near the shrub, and consider planting alongside other wildlife-friendly species for continuous insect support throughout the season.

Q: Are there any common pests or diseases affecting Buddleja davidii White Profusion?

A: Buddleja White Profusion is generally disease-free and low maintenance, but aphids may occasionally appear on tender new shoots in spring and early summer. These pests can usually be managed without chemicals by washing them off with a strong jet of water or applying organic insecticidal soap. In rare cases, Buddleja can suffer from root rot in poorly drained soil; therefore, proper planting and soil preparation are crucial. Its resilience and adaptability make it one of the most reliable flowering shrubs in UK gardens.

Q: Where can I buy Buddleja davidii White Profusion?

A: You can buy Buddleja davidii White Profusion from reputable garden centres and online nurseries across the UK. Look for well-established, high-quality plants in 2L or 3L pots, which will establish quickly. When shopping online, choose suppliers that offer clear planting instructions and healthy stock. Buying Buddleja from specialist retailers ensures you receive vigorous plants ready to thrive in your garden and support bees and butterflies throughout the summer.