Over the years, my wife and I have planted a number of butterfly bushes.  The flowers produced by these plants varied from yellow, to lavender and dark purple.  While they all attracted butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, the one that is most often visited by these amazing insects is a dark purple variety named Black Knight.

       As long as I regularly prune the spent blossoms, it produces flowers from late spring into fall.  In late August, it is often difficult for pollinators to find food.  Since Black Knight is still profusely blooming every time we visit these butterfly bushes, I see several eastern tiger swallowtails, skippers, buckeyes and other attractive butterflies.

       While Black Knight does well in our yard, it may not do as well in your yard.  If you do try it, I would like to know how it does.  In addition, if you have a variety that attracts lots of pollinators in your yard, I would like to know about it.