The Black Knight Butterfly Bush might be exactly what you're looking for! This butterfly bush features unique dark purple to black blooms attracting butterflies all summer long.

This butterfly bush can grow up 8 feet tall and is great when planted in masses. Each dark purple to black bloom gets about 4-10 inches long. This fast grower needs regular watering and grows extremely fast in the spring. Partial to full sun is recommended for best results.

Expect an extended bloom season from June all the way to the first frost. Don't forget to trim some cuttings and bring them inside. These blooms look divine indoors on your kitchen table.

Incorporate in natural areas and include some roses to complement color. The black knight butterfly bush does great as an accent plant or background variety.

When Does This Butterfly Bush Bloom?

You can expect lush purple blooms that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds from mid summer through fall.

Where Should I Plant A Black Knight Butterfly Bush?

This shrub is adaptable to a variety of soils and thrives in a spot that gets full sun to part shade conditions in grow zones 5-9.

What Are Good Companion Plants For This Bush?

Phlox, lavender, and lilies are great to pair with this shrub in mixed garden beds.

Planting

When planting your Butterfly Bush be sure you have the right location and conditions for your new shrub to thrive. Spring and Fall are ideal times to plant. However, if you avoid freezing and hot temperatures you can plant almost any time of the year.

Butterfly bushes tolerate full sun and part shade and are adaptable to a variety of soils as long as your soil is well drained.

Watering

Water well when your plant is newly planted, but otherwise Butterfly bushes are drought tolerant and only require watering during dry, hot periods.

Fertilizing

If your soil is nutrient rich your Butterfly bush will not require fertilizer. Fertilize in early spring and when planting if your soil is lacking. Choose a basic slow release fertilizer for flowering plants. When planting take care not to burn the roots by mixing the fertilizer into the soil before placing your bush in the hole.

Maintenance

Butterfly bushes don't require pruning, but if you would like to maintain size, these shrubs tolerate heavy pruning. In cooler climates where this shrub acts more like a perennial, trim within a couple inches of the ground in late winter or early spring. Mulching is a good choice especially in colder regions to protect the roots from freezing temperatures.

The best way to prevent disease and pests is by providing the appropriate care for your plants. Proper location choice, watering, and fertilization are the keys to your success. Butterfly bushes are quite resilient and only rarely have issues. The most common pests affecting this shrub are Japanese beetles and caterpillars. Japanese beetles can be controlled naturally or by applying bacillus thuringiensis or nematodes as well as hand picking. There are chemical methods as well, but these tend not to work well this Insect. Caterpillars should be hand picked. There are pesticides to treat caterpillars, but these will kill the good caterpillars as well as the bad.

Learn when to prune your flowering shrubs.

For additional options, be sure to check out our Butterfly Bush collection.