Rotheca myricoides Ugandense (Butterfly Bush)

Rotheca myricoides 'Ugandense' (Butterfly Bush) is a suckering evergreen shrub of open, scrambling habit, boasting showy terminal panicles of magnificent pale blue flowers adorned with a violet-blue lower petal and long stamens arching outward and upward. Blooming for weeks from early summer to early fall, the delicate blossoms are reminiscent of butterflies in flight, hence the common name. They are followed by black fleshy fruits. The foliage of glabrous, elliptic or obovate, glossy bright green leaves, 4 in. long (10 cm), is evergreen in frost-free areas. This native to East Africa will tug at your heart almost as soon as you see its ravishing flowers!

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 3-10 ft. tall (90-300 cm) and 3-6 ft. wide (90-180 cm).
• Easily grown in organically rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best performance occurs in part shade.
• Great in shrub borders or containers.
• Virtually disease free. Keep an eye out for glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and glasshouse whitefly.
• Can be pruned back continually to keep the plant more compact.
• Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer or root cuttings in winter.