I have given up on Butterfly Bushes. They just don't do anything for me, they die over the winter. Crepe myrtles will not make a real appearance here until the first of June which is too late for my tastes. I also don't have long term luck with azaleas. They live for a few years and bloom, but then die off. They never really grow and get large like they do in warmer areas. Some things just don't prefer the cold winters, the winter moisture and spring sogginess I guess.
