I once read that if you want to attract butterflies to your garden the Buddelja davida or Butterfly bush is 1 through 10 on the list.Needless to say I have such a list. Here in zone 4, this plant is not happy. Our winters are just too cold. Over the years I have purchased quite a few plants. Some years they survive. Most years they don't. I finally discovered that a plant that self seeded here had a better chance of surviving the winter then a gorgeous plant purchased in the nursery.
Here in the Stonewall Garden the south facing bed of the stone square has become the chosen location for my butterfly bushes. A few years ago I purchased a bush, and planted it in the center of that bed. Although dead and gone this year, in the past this bush self seeded several plants. Their chosen place to grow was right next to the stone wall. I think the pictured plant is on its third year. Even in this special spot the bush has to be cut back in the spring to make room for new growth at the base.
When digging out poor dead "Mom", Ed discovered a small plant tucked under her dead branches. This evening, when it it cooler we will move it close to the stone wall where it's siblings seem to have survived so well. Sometimes your plants can teach you something if you just pay attention!
