butterfly bush

American  

noun

1. any tropical shrub belonging to the genus Buddleia, of the logania family, having clusters of showy lilac, white, or yellow flowers.

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butterfly bush British  

noun

1. another name for buddleia

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Etymology

Origin of butterfly bush

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Horticultural invasives, such as butterfly bush, English ivy, pampas grass and many other garden favorites that have escaped cultivation, are of increasing concern.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 6, 2024

At exactly 11:17, once the crew had relocated a butterfly bush and three baby garter snakes curled up among its roots, the first bucketful of dirt was removed.

From Washington Post • May 28, 2021

Candidates include butterfly bush, asters, caryopteris, lespedeza and perovskia.

From Washington Post • May 19, 2015

After building a butterfly bush garden near his workshop, installing an inscribed stone there with her name and scattering some of her ashes, Larry got busy tackling the list:

From Washington Times • Jan. 2, 2015

“Yeah, she’s been reading up on it. Just today she asked about your foundation shrubs. So I told her about the butterfly bush and that smaller one, the purple one.”

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings