Honest review: Butterfly Bush is rewarding but leggy and open growth habit from insufficient light is real

Butterfly Bush is a genuinely satisfying plant to grow, but I want to be upfront about one thing: leggy and open growth habit from insufficient light. I've dealt with it twice now and it takes consistent attention to manage.

Beyond that, permanent woody structure providing year-round garden framework makes it one of my favourites in the collection. I keep it in a wildlife garden with berrying and nectaring shrubs which suits it well. Learning about watering in dry spells in the first two seasons after planting has been essential. autumn berries and foliage colour is worth waiting for — the plant really justifies itself then. Four stars because of that persistent issue.