How to Landscape With Butterfly Bushes

Draw a plan of your garden. Select a site for the butterfly bush that is in full sun, has well-drained soil and enough room for a bush that will grow to about 8 feet tall.. Mark this site with an X on your plan. If you have space in your garden, draw several butterfly bushes on the plan.

Identify other plants that attract butterflies. Add these to your plan around the butterfly bush site and label them. Choose plants that require similar soil conditions, such as bachelor buttons, evening primroses and all types of azaleas and lilacs. Decide on a color scheme or just mix and match colors.

Draw circles for these small shrubs and flowers on your plan around the butterfly bush. Ensure that there is room for the full-grown height and width of each plant.

Incorporate a water feature in your butterfly garden plan. Flowing water in a fountain or stream will provide a constant source of fresh water for birds and butterflies, while a bird bath takes up less space and is easier to maintain.

Mark a place on the map for a seating feature near the garden. Decide whether to use a permanent fixture, such as a stone bench, or a temporary seat or camping chair.

Obtain the butterfly bushes, other plants and water feature from your local garden center. Choose plants that have a healthy root ball and strong stems.

Loosen the soil in your garden site with a spade and remove any weeds or other plant material. Apply a layer of compost of organic material to the soil and dig this into the soil to a depth of 6 inches.

Dig a hole twice the diameter of the butterfly bush container. Carefully remove the butterfly bush from its container and shake it gently to remove some of the growing medium. Place the butterfly bush in the hole and fill in the hole with soil. Press the soil lightly down and water the plant thoroughly.

Plant all the supporting flowers and shrubs in the same way and according to your plan. Revise the plan if you do not have enough room for the plants or want to incorporate a different arrangement. Place the water feature and the seat near your butterfly garden.