Looking for a striking blue-flowered shrub to brighten your garden or patio? The Blue Butterfly plant (Clerodendrum ugandense) is a semi-tropical shrub prized for its butterfly-shaped blossoms and lush foliage. It’s best suited for warm, sunny spots, with well-drained soil and regular pruning to encourage blooming. This guide highlights five top Amazon offerings, clarifies who each plant is best for, and helps you compare options at a glance.
| Product | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Butterfly Bush – Clerodendrum myricoides ‘Ugandense’ – Live Tropical Plant | Hobby gardeners seeking a dramatic drought-tolerant bloom | Starter size; blooms in panicles shaped like butterflies |
| Blue Butterfly 14 inch Starter Plant, Exotic Clerodendrum Ugandense | Larger display with quicker reach to flowering | Can reach 7 ft; needs full sun |
| Blue Butterfly Bush – Healthy Well Rooted Starter Plant – Clerodendrum Ugandense | Budget-friendly starter with bareroot option | Ships bareroot; note shipping limitations |
| Diamonds Perennial Clerodendrum Ugandense, Blue Butterfly Potted Plant | Colorful border or accent planting | Compact pot-grown option |
| Live Plant – Blue Butterfly Bush AKA Blue Wings Rooted Starter Plant Clerodendrum Ugandense | Indoor/outdoor versatility for containers | Includes rooted starter |
Blue Butterfly Bush – Clerodendrum myricoides ‘Ugandense’
Features: A fast-growing semi-tropical perennial with a loose, sprawling growth habit. Blooms in panicles of blue flowers resembling butterflies. Easy to grow and quick to establish in a permanent location with 6–8 hours of direct light. Requires fertile, well-draining soil and consistent moisture. Prune after flowering to maintain shape and size.
Best for: Gardeners who want a dramatic focal plant or a flowering hedge; ideal for warm climates with full sun. Limitations: Can take a season or two to reach full bloom; not suited for freezing temperatures.
Blue Butterfly 14 inch Starter Plant, Exotic Clerodendrum Ugandense
Features: Mature size up to 7 feet, compact 3–4 foot form with pruning. Thrives in USDA zones 9–12 year-round, or as an annual in cooler regions. Requires full, hot sun for best growth and continuous blooming.
Best for: Gardeners in warm zones seeking rapid height growth and prolific bloom; avoid this if you are in frost-prone areas unless treated as an annual or greenhouse plant.
Blue Butterfly Bush – Healthy Well Rooted Starter Plant
Features: Bareroot starter plant; labeled as a healthy, well-rooted option. Ships bareroot; note that shipping restrictions apply to certain regions.
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers or those who prefer bareroot plants for easier long-term storage and transplanting. Limitations: Availability may vary by region due to shipping restrictions.
Diamonds Perennial Clerodendrum Ugandense, Blue Butterfly Potted Plant
Features: Clerodendrums provide colorful accents for garden borders. This option is a potted plant, suitable for immediate placement in a landscape or container garden.
Best for: Mixed borders or containers needing a striking blue-flowered accent. Limitations: Requires sunny conditions and regular moisture for best flowering.
Live Plant – Blue Butterfly Bush AKA Blue Wings Rooted Starter Plant
Features: Rooted starter plant with lush greenery. Suitable for patios, landscaping, or indoor accent use. Emphasizes compact beauty with vibrant foliage.
Best for: Home growers seeking a versatile plant for pots or small garden beds. Limitation: Indoor-care or outdoor exposure should align with climate to prevent stress.
Buying Guide: How To Choose Your Blue Butterfly Clerodendrum
- Clerodendrum ugandense prefers warm, sunny sites. Choose varieties advertised for USDA zones 9–12 or treat as an annual in cooler climates.
- If you want a hedge or backdrop, pick larger-year forms or those marketed as 7 feet tall. For containers, choose starter plants or potted specimens with a compact habit.
- Ensure 6–8 hours of direct sun daily and consistent moisture in well-draining soil. Water deeply but avoid waterlogged roots.
- Pruning after flowering helps maintain shape and encourage blooms. Some varieties are fast-growing and require regular trimming.
- Bareroot options can be cost-effective but may require careful handling and sooner planting. Check shipping regions for restrictions.
Care Tips At A Glance
- Plant in fertile, well-draining soil with regular moisture.
- Provide full sun for best flowering; partial shade may reduce bloom intensity.
- Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and promote new growth.
- Monitor for stress in cooler climates; protect from frost where applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Blue Butterfly Clerodendrum plants cold-hardy? They prefer warm climates and are not typically frost-tolerant; in colder regions they are often grown as annuals or indoors.
- What is the best container size for starting? A 4–6 inch pot is common for starter plants, with larger containers as the plant grows.
- How quickly do these plants bloom? They may take a season or two to reach full blooming potential, depending on growing conditions.
- Do these plants attract butterflies? The flowers resemble butterflies and can attract pollinators when in bloom, though actual butterfly visitation varies by region.
- Can I prune for a bushier habit? Yes, pruning after flowering helps control size and encourages denser growth.