Boxwood vs Butterfly Bush

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Boxwood

Buxus sempervirens

Buxaceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Butterfly Bush

Buddleja davidii

Scrophulariaceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Boxwood (Zones 5-8)

Butterfly Bush (Zones 5-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boxwood	Butterfly Bush
Scientific Name	Buxus sempervirens	Buddleja davidii
Family	Buxaceae	Scrophulariaceae
Category	shrubs	shrubs
Sun	☀️ Part Shade to Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	8'	10'
Spread	8'	8'
Bloom Season	Spring	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Green	Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Asia, Africa	China
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Boxwood

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Butterfly Bush

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Boxwood

✓Avoid deep cultivation near shallow roots.
✓Thin interior branches for air circulation.
✓Protect from drying winter winds.
✓Don't plant too deep.

Butterfly Bush

✓Cut back to 12-18 inches in early spring — blooms on new wood.
✓Deadhead for continuous flowering.
✓Can be invasive — choose sterile cultivars.
✓Full sun essential.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Boxwood if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full sun with medium water in zones 5–8.

Choose Butterfly Bush if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View BoxwoodProfile →View Butterfly BushProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boxwood and Butterfly Bush grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boxwood grows in USDA zones 5-8, while Butterfly Bush grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

Do Boxwood and Butterfly Bush have the same sun and water needs?

Boxwood needs part shade to full sun and medium water, while Butterfly Bush needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Boxwood or Butterfly Bush?

Butterfly Bush grows taller at 10' compared to Boxwood at 8'. Butterfly Bush spreads 8' while Boxwood spreads 8'.

Are Boxwood and Butterfly Bush deer resistant?

Yes, both Boxwood and Butterfly Bush are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Boxwood or Butterfly Bush?

Boxwood has medium maintenance while Butterfly Bush has low maintenance. Butterfly Bush may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boxwood	Butterfly Bush
Scientific Name	Buxus sempervirens	Buddleja davidii
Family	Buxaceae	Scrophulariaceae
Category	shrubs	shrubs
Sun	☀️ Part Shade to Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	8'	10'
Spread	8'	8'
Bloom Season	Spring	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Green	Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Slow	Fast
Native Region	Europe, Asia, Africa	China
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Care Tips

Boxwood

✓Avoid deep cultivation near shallow roots.
✓Thin interior branches for air circulation.
✓Protect from drying winter winds.
✓Don't plant too deep.

Butterfly Bush

✓Cut back to 12-18 inches in early spring — blooms on new wood.
✓Deadhead for continuous flowering.
✓Can be invasive — choose sterile cultivars.
✓Full sun essential.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Boxwood if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full sun with medium water in zones 5–8.

Choose Butterfly Bush if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boxwood and Butterfly Bush grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boxwood grows in USDA zones 5-8, while Butterfly Bush grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

Do Boxwood and Butterfly Bush have the same sun and water needs?

Boxwood needs part shade to full sun and medium water, while Butterfly Bush needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Boxwood or Butterfly Bush?

Butterfly Bush grows taller at 10' compared to Boxwood at 8'. Butterfly Bush spreads 8' while Boxwood spreads 8'.

Are Boxwood and Butterfly Bush deer resistant?

Yes, both Boxwood and Butterfly Bush are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Boxwood or Butterfly Bush?

Boxwood has medium maintenance while Butterfly Bush has low maintenance. Butterfly Bush may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.