Butterfly Bush White Ball
True to its name, the silvery panicles of ‘White Ball’ butterfly bush are alive with butterflies from summer through fall. A cottage garden favorite, this small to mid-size cultivar is perfect for smaller, sunny spaces that are planted with pollinators in mind. ‘White Ball’ is a deer-resistant shrub with a terrific habit and fragrance. (Buddleia davidii ‘White Ball’)
Description
4-5’ tall x 5-6’ wide. The grey-green foliage of ‘White Ball’ butterfly bush stands out in a garden for its neat, compact habit and fabulous texture. When it blooms in early summer, the ‘wow’ effect is magnified by hundreds of cone-shaped panicles that open slowly from base to tip. It’s loved by gardeners and pollinators for these honey-scented blooms that speak of old-fashioned lemonade summers. ‘White Ball’ does best in a sunny, well-draining situation, but will cope well with average or poorer soils. Deadheading spent blossoms encourages further flower formation on lateral stems – preserving the show through fall and keeping seed formation down in areas where butterfly bush has become invasive. In very early spring, the entire shrub can be cut back inches from the ground to maintain the spherical habit throughout the season. It’s an easy shrub for your garden, and one that gives delight to both gardener and wildlife.
