Which plant is known for showy, fragrant flower spikes that attract pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds and is pruned after flowering?

Which plant is known for showy, fragrant flower spikes that attract pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds and is pruned after flowering?

• A. Vanhoutte's spirea
• B. Butterfly bush (Buddleja)
• C. Meyer Zoysia
• D. Anthracnose

Answer: (B)

Showy, fragrant flower spikes that draw pollinators and are pruned after flowering point to butterfly bush. This plant produces long, fragrant panicles of blooms that are highly attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a standout for pollinator gardens. It flowers on new growth, so cutting it back after the bloom period encourages fresh shoots to develop and set next year’s flowers, while keeping the plant from getting too leggy. In practice, gardeners often prune butterfly bush hard after flowering to about a third of its height, then it regrows with a vibrant display later in the season. Vanhoutte's spirea tends to have spring clusters rather than showy fragrant spikes, Meyer Zoysia is a grass, and anthracnose is a disease, not a plant, so they don’t fit the description.

Showy, fragrant flower spikes that draw pollinators and are pruned after flowering point to butterfly bush. This plant produces long, fragrant panicles of blooms that are highly attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a standout for pollinator gardens. It flowers on new growth, so cutting it back after the bloom period encourages fresh shoots to develop and set next year’s flowers, while keeping the plant from getting too leggy. In practice, gardeners often prune butterfly bush hard after flowering to about a third of its height, then it regrows with a vibrant display later in the season.

Vanhoutte's spirea tends to have spring clusters rather than showy fragrant spikes, Meyer Zoysia is a grass, and anthracnose is a disease, not a plant, so they don’t fit the description.