I haven't met a butterfly bush that wasn't highly attractive to butterflies. I have six different varieties. One is compact. Adonis Blue. It is about 3 feet tall and wide. The butterflies love it. It used to be in a large container, and it thrived. I only moved it into the garden, because I finally made room in the ground for it. A great selection.

I blogged about it in the past which included pictures. I'll try to find the link on my blog.
Kim

Here is a link that might be useful: My Garden

Except for a yellow butterfly bush I had years ago, I haven't found any difference from one cultivar to the other as to which one attracts the most butterflies, and I've had a good many different varieties. As I recall, the butterflies rarely ever visited the yellow one. So for the most part, it's just a matter of which you personally prefer, which will most easily fit into your garden and blend color wise. Even my old yellow one may have gotten more visits, had it not been at the back of the garden at a time when I had several others up front.
They're all great!
Sherry

There have been one or two threads on this subject in the past ;)

Here is a link that might be useful: Which Buddleia attracts the most BF's?

so it sounds like I can narrow it down to "everything"...lol

Since I'm going to be potting them I was pondering Ellen's Blue & Miss Ruby since they are supposed to be a bit more compact.

I'm surprised to hear that most butterfly bushes attract the same amount of butterflies. Good to know and thanks!

kcclark,

thanks for the link...I couldn't find that thread when searching, likely because they used the term BF in subject line!

after reading all that, I think I'm sticking with my two above choices unless someone thinks they'd be bad potting candidates. Thanks again for your help, Tony

Tony,
In my experience that seems to hold true. They are all very attractive to butterflies. I think whichever ones you choose will work out great. Lowes always has a lot of dwarf selections around here. That's where I got my Adonis Blue. All of the butterfly bushes I bought locally were much more established than the online orders. The trade-off is in selection.

I hope you find two varieties that work well for you and the butterflies!
Kim

Tony, if your space is limited you might also want to check out a new series I just found at a local nursery called "the buzz" buddleias. They are apparently just out and are supposedly designed for containers or planting in the ground and the tag says the height is two to three feet and compact in habit. I am about to plant two that I purchased from that nursery.

I have some Adonis Blue, Miss Ruby and Blue Chips. Two of the Blue Chips died their second season but the others seem to be doing alright. I have two Ellen's Blue but one is quite large - 6 to 8 feet - and the other I have so far kept at about 6 feet. I would suggest a LARGE POT. Murray

Thanks Kim and Murray,

As far as picking them up from a local store, I'm in zone 4B (Minnesota) and I don't believe any stores carry them.

I have 3 from last year all started from seed. one white profusion outside (mulched, but will be surprised if it comes back) one white profusion potted inside (looking good) and one purplish crossbreed mulched outside in area sheltered from wind (hopeful that one WILL come back).

The "buzz" versions sound interesting but I think I want to try some larger compact plants if possible. It's not a space issue, it's a "plant killing winter" issue.

I may just buy one plant and see if I can trade seeds with someone for the other. decisions, decisions....thanks again!

I personally have almost all colors of BF bushes in my yard. All colors attract BFs in my yard but the favorites are the reds...Royal Red & Attraction, then my Bi-Color & the purple ones. My yellow Honeycomb was the last blooming here & was a huge success in late summer early fall at attracting many different species when the others weren't blooming!
I am planning to add to my collection of BF bushes this spring & order Ellen's Blue from The Botany Shop. If anyone knows anything about this source, I'd appreciate your input! Their prices are the best I've seen plus I am planning to order several just in case.

Here is a link that might be useful: Botany Shop