Linlily, I think it's a combination of genetics (some are hardier than others) and protection. I find that when we get early snow before it's really cold, marginal plants here, including butterfly bush, seem to do better than if it gets really cold before snow. A lot of my plants rely on having snow for winter survival. I don't usually mulch specifically for protection in winter, but all my beds have some mulch, and I leave stems on many plants to hold leaves for self-mulching.

Hey, Im in zone 9, and the same exact thing happened to mine. It was that cold we had for a couple of days in january i believe. It hit like 32 or something for 2 days. That did it for me. I cut it down to about 10 inches, but there is no green or new growth on it. Im getting a little worried that perhaps the cold killed it. I was at a few nurseries and saw that they were putting out growth everywhere. I have the Harlequin Davidii species. I am anxiously waiting for it to grow 'somewhing' for a few weeks, if not i might just replace it.

This listing of plants with flowers that attract butterflies was submitted by forum members from throughout the U.S., and from many plant hardiness zones. They grew or personally observed these plants and their butterfly visitors. You should observe what nectar plants perform well in your area when deciding what to plant. Plant zones only indicate the lowest cold temperature in winter, which is just one small part of growing plants. Other factors - heat, exposure to sunlight, rainfall, drainage, humidity, soil type, soil PH, and how well or poorly a person takes care of their plants - have a lot more to do with whether or not a plant succeeds or fails than just the zone. Anise-scented sage - Salvia guaranitica Autumn sage - Salvia greggii Aster - Asteraceae Spp. Bee balm - Monarda spp. Black-eyed susan - Rudbeckia spp. Blue Porterweed - Stachytarpheta jamaicensis Bottlebrush tree - Callistemon spp. Brazilian verbena - Verbena bonariensis Butterfly bush - Buddleia davidii (and various hybrids) Buttonbush - Cephalanthus occidentalis Butterfly weed - Asclepias tuberosa Carolina jessamine - Gelsemium sempervirens Carpetweed - Phyla nodiflora Citrus blossoms - Citrus Spp. Common thistle - Cirsium spp. Copper Canyon daisy - Tagetes lemmonii Coral plant - Jatropha multifida Cosmos - Cosmos sulphurus Dutchman's pipevine - Aristolochia Spp. Elephant foot - Elephantopus spp. Firebush - Hamelia patens Giant hyssop - Agastache (A. foeniculum x rugosa) var. 'Blue Fortune' Golden dewdrop (or skyflower) - Duranta repens Gregg's mist flower - Eupatorium greggii Ironweed - Vernonia spp. Joepye weed - Eupatorium fistulosum Lantana - Lantana camara Licorice plant - Helichrysum petiolare Marigolds - Tagetes spp. Mexican bush sage - Salvia leucantha Mexican flamevine - Senecio confusus Mexican heather - Cuphea hyssopifolia Mexican petunia - Ruellia brittoniana Mexican sunflower - Tithonia diversifolia Morning glory - Ipomeae spp. Night blooming jessamine - Cestrum nocturnum Pentas - Pentas lanceolata Periwinkles - Vinca spp. Pineapple sage - Salvia elegans Pineland lantana - Lantana depressa Phlox - Phlox spp. Purple coneflower - Echinacea purpurea Scarlet (or tropical) milkweed - Asclepias currasavica Shrimp plant - Justicia spp. Spanish needles - Bidens alba Stokes aster - Stokesia laevis Sweet pepperbush - Clethra spp. Tropical red sage - Salvia coccinea Turk's cap - Malvaviscus drommondii White snakeroot - Eupatorium rugosum Wild sage - Lantana involucrata Zinnia - Zinnia elegans, Z. haageana, and Z. linearis

They are aphid magnets, but the monarch caterpillars don't seem to mind. What may be more of a problem is their tendency to self sow -- a lot. If you like them, though, that may be a plus rather than a minus. (We are talking about milklweed - ascelpias curassivica, not butterfly bush - buddleia davidii, right?)