Butterfly Bush vs Morning Glory

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

Butterfly Bush

Buddleja davidii

Scrophulariaceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Morning Glory

Ipomoea tricolor

Convolvulaceae · vines

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Butterfly Bush (Zones 5-9)

Morning Glory (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Butterfly Bush	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Buddleja davidii	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Scrophulariaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	shrubs	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	10'	10'
Spread	8'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Purple, Pink, White	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	China	Central America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Butterfly Bush

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Morning Glory

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — 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.

Morning Glory

✓Nick or soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
✓Provide sturdy support.
✓Self-seeds prolifically — can become invasive.
✓Full sun is essential for abundant blooms.

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 Morning Glory if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Butterfly BushProfile →View Morning GloryProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Butterfly Bush and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Butterfly Bush grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do Butterfly Bush and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

Butterfly Bush needs full sun and medium water, while Morning Glory needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Butterfly Bush or Morning Glory?

Both Butterfly Bush and Morning Glory reach approximately 10' in height, with spreads of 8' and 2' respectively.

Are Butterfly Bush and Morning Glory deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Bush or Morning Glory?

Both Butterfly Bush and Morning Glory 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	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Buddleja davidii	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Scrophulariaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	shrubs	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	10'	10'
Spread	8'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Purple, Pink, White	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	China	Central America
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.

Morning Glory

✓Nick or soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
✓Provide sturdy support.
✓Self-seeds prolifically — can become invasive.
✓Full sun is essential for abundant blooms.

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 Morning Glory if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Butterfly Bush and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Butterfly Bush grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do Butterfly Bush and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

Butterfly Bush needs full sun and medium water, while Morning Glory needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Butterfly Bush or Morning Glory?

Both Butterfly Bush and Morning Glory reach approximately 10' in height, with spreads of 8' and 2' respectively.

Are Butterfly Bush and Morning Glory deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Butterfly Bush or Morning Glory?

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