The medium to fast-growing semi-evergreen produces long, arching canes and grows in a weeping habit to eight to ten feet tall, spreading four to eight feet. As its name implies, it attracts butterflies as well as hummingbirds with fragrant clusters of pinkish purple or white blooms that droop downward from the plant. The leaves are greenish gray with fine-toothed edges. The underside of the leaf is white and fuzzy. From late summer to early fall, it produces amazing clusters of flowers that have orange throats. It likes well-draining, fertile soil, and handles drought conditions when mature.
Plant this shrub in full sun to partial shade on north-facing walls. It often freezes to the ground when the temperatures reach the low thirties but recovers in the spring. Every few years, the plant benefits from heavy pruning; growth re-emerges in spring. Flowers are more prolific on new wood, and spent blossoms should be removed to encourage continued flower production. This plant is easy to root from cuttings in warmer weather. Use the butterfly bush along the foundations of your house. The purple flowering variety looks great as a background along a light-colored wall or other border, or in masses with other perennials. This is a great early fall color plant when in bloom. It is native to Northwestern China and Japan.