It's definitely not too late to plant. In Minnesota I transplanted one in October last year and it came back just fine.

All butterfly bushes are more or less the same but...

I have 5. while all of them are getting good traffic, my Ellen's blue is getting traffic from rare garden visitors like the red-spotted purple and the mourning cloak. Whereas the monarchs won't touch it. Meanwhile the monarchs are all over my other four. It's not a location issue because they nectar all over garden. They just pass over Ellen's blue...

My favorite butterfly bush this season is my Buddleja buzz 'Magenta'. With deadheading it's a BEAUTIFUL plant. The monarchs are all over it along with red admirals, skippers, and the few eastern swallowtails I've seen.

'Miss Ruby' looks good too but is a little smaller because of last years October transplant.

I have heard a few people mention that one of the dwarf varieties doesn't attract many butterflies....nahno blue I think?? someone correct me if I'm wrong. Good luck, Tony