how about hardy perennials that will be undergrount for the worst of the winter
also if you go to B at the bottom of the page there are lots of photo's of butterflies on plants from different parts of the world-- and bumble bees as well

What about a Hebe .... or Syringa maybe - i've learned this week from GoY member Hywel that there are dwarf Syringa varieties, that might be useful Cestina.

a few people have reported hebe's dying with the cold but mostly the grey or variegated leaf ones

I'd really like something that flowers later in the year. The buddleia was ideal from that point of view. Picked up when most of the other bushes had gone over. I have a beautiful white Hibiscus (they do very well here) and could get another but I have never noticed butterflies on it though maybe that's because they went to the buddleia?

I would love a ceanothus but fear it wouldn't stand the winters. Am I right?

I'm sure that you are Cestina-- I think only hardy to about -5C , viburnum ' dawn' comes to mind as the small flowers are sweetly scented late autumn and into the winter here, it may be worth checking its hardiness but have no problems here

Viburnum Dawn is very pretty - just looked at it. But to be even more fussy - I'm really looking for blue or white.....all that side of the courtyard is in those colours. Cream at a pinch would do as well......

There's a new cultivar of Buddleia davidii available, a dwarf form, called "Buzz". Might be worth investigating.

Thanks Bamboo, that looks perfect but have just checked with my tame nurseryman and it's not yet available in the CR :-(

For butterflies he suggests a White Echinacea (which I don't much like) or a blue-flowering Agastache. That looks a possibility.....
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