Butterfly Bush vs Daylily

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

Butterfly Bush

Buddleja davidii

Scrophulariaceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Daylily

Hemerocallis spp.

Asparagaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Butterfly Bush (Zones 5-9)

Daylily (Zones 3-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Butterfly Bush	Daylily
Scientific Name	Buddleja davidii	Hemerocallis spp.
Family	Scrophulariaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	shrubs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Adaptable
Height	10'	3'
Spread	8'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Purple, Pink, White	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	China	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Butterfly Bush

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Daylily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

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.

Daylily

✓Remove spent scapes after blooming.
✓Divide every 3-5 years when clumps become crowded.
✓Virtually pest and disease free.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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.

Choose Daylily if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Butterfly BushProfile →View DaylilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Butterfly Bush grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Daylily grows in zones 3-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

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

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

Which grows taller, Butterfly Bush or Daylily?

Butterfly Bush grows taller at 10' compared to Daylily at 3'. Butterfly Bush spreads 8' while Daylily spreads 2'.

Are Butterfly Bush and Daylily deer resistant?

Butterfly Bush is deer resistant, but Daylily is not. If deer are a concern, Butterfly Bush is the better choice, or protect Daylily with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Bush or Daylily?

Both Butterfly Bush and Daylily have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Butterfly Bush	Daylily
Scientific Name	Buddleja davidii	Hemerocallis spp.
Family	Scrophulariaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	shrubs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Adaptable
Height	10'	3'
Spread	8'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Purple, Pink, White	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	China	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

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.

Daylily

✓Remove spent scapes after blooming.
✓Divide every 3-5 years when clumps become crowded.
✓Virtually pest and disease free.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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.

Choose Daylily if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Butterfly Bush grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Daylily grows in zones 3-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

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

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

Which grows taller, Butterfly Bush or Daylily?

Butterfly Bush grows taller at 10' compared to Daylily at 3'. Butterfly Bush spreads 8' while Daylily spreads 2'.

Are Butterfly Bush and Daylily deer resistant?

Butterfly Bush is deer resistant, but Daylily is not. If deer are a concern, Butterfly Bush is the better choice, or protect Daylily with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Bush or Daylily?

Both Butterfly Bush and Daylily have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.