There are few shrubs so beloved to pollinators as Buddleia, or Butterfly Bush. Its tiny, funnel-shaped blooms are held in large, colorful panicles that are absolutely covered in butterflies and bees from mid-summer through to early fall. While not a North American native plant, the silver-green foliage stands out proudly against other late summer native staples like Magnus Echinacea or colorful Garden Phlox, and creates a wonderful environment for some of our most beloved pollinators. Butterfly Bushes are tolerant of partial shade, but grow and flower best in sunny sites with well-draining, average soils. They bloom on new wood, so cut the woody stems down within 12” of the soil line in early spring to make way for new growth.