Common Name
Butterfly bush
Summer lilac
Plant Form
Shrubs & Small Trees
Region
Coastal
Piedmont
Mountain
Considered Invasive?
Yes
Threat Level
Low
Additional Info
Notes: Also known as Summer Lilac, this ornamental shrub was introduced from its native range in China in the early 1900s. Although sometimes recommended for butterfly gardens, it does not serve as a host plant for their larvae; however, it is a host for the destructive pest, brown marmorated stink bug. It is planted so extensively that it commonly escapes from gardens and is invasive through much of the U. S., including Arlington and Alexandria in Northern Virginia.