The butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) is a beautiful, fast-growing, deciduous shrub with masses of blossoms— typically long, spiked trusses—that bloom from summer to autumn. The shrub is low-maintenance, only requiring dead-heading and annual pruning in late winter to encourage flowers and a compact shape. Butterfly bushes are full sun perennials and prefer fertile, well-drained soil.
Despite the “butterfly” name, keep in mind that this shrub is not a host plant for butterflies in that it does not support the butterfly reproduction and life cycle. Caterpillars do not feed on butterfly bushes; rather, it only provides nectar to adult butterflies. If you do have a butterfly bush, be sure to add native host plants such as milkweed, aster, and dill if you want the butterflies to stay.
Despite the “butterfly” name, keep in mind that this shrub is not a host plant for butterflies in that it does not support the butterfly reproduction and life cycle. Caterpillars do not feed on butterfly bushes; rather, it only provides nectar to adult butterflies. If you do have a butterfly bush, be sure to add native host plants such as milkweed, aster, and dill if you want the butterflies to stay.
Please contact the nursery for availability each season.
CARING FOR BUTTERFLY BUSHES
- Water freely when in growth and sparingly otherwise. In the summer, water if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week.
- Avoid fertilizing butterfly bushes; too much fertility promotes leaf growth over flower production.
- Remove spent flower spikes to encourage new shoots and flower buds.
- In addition, it is important to deadhead the flowers just as they start to wither so that this invasive plant doesn’t spread volunteer seeds. Deadheading is now required in many states.
- Each spring, apply a thin layer of compost and mulch to retain moisture and control weeds.
- In cold, Northern climates, spread mulch up to 6 inches deep around the trunk to nurture it through the winter.
- Buddleias are very late to break dormancy, so don’t be in a hurry to assess winter damage.
- The bush should bloom abundantly even in its first year. In warmer climates, the bushes will grow into trees and develop rugged trunks that peel; peeling is normal.
- In the northern limit of their range, they behave as herbaceous perennials, dying back to the root in cold winters.
Adonis Blue™ Buddleja davidii 'Adokeep'
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 5' Tall & Wide
Flower: Fragrant, deep blue-violet spikes of small florets with an orange eye
Foliage: Green, ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Mid-Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 5' Tall & Wide
Flower: Fragrant, deep blue-violet spikes of small florets with an orange eye
Foliage: Green, ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Mid-Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Black Knight Buddleja davidii
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Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 6' Tall & Wide; Compact, dense form Flower: Deep blue-violet with red-orange eye Foliage: Pastel gray-green to blue-green leaves Bloom Time: Mid-Summer to Early Fall Light: Full Sun Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes |
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Blue Heaven (Flutterby Petite®) Buddleja hybrid 'Podaras#8'
Zone: 5 to 10
Average Size: 2-3' Tall & Wide
Flower: Blue-violet florets with an orange eye
Foliage: Soft, gray-green leaves
Bloom Time: Early Summer to Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 2-3' Tall & Wide
Flower: Blue-violet florets with an orange eye
Foliage: Soft, gray-green leaves
Bloom Time: Early Summer to Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
CranRazz™ Buddleja x 'Boscranz'
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Zone: 5 to 10
Average Size: 5-6' Tall & 4-5' Wide Flower: Long spikes of bright deep magenta florets Foliage: Gray-green, ovate leaves Bloom Time: Spring through mid-Fall Light: Full Sun Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes |
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Dwarf Dapper® Pink Buddleja davidii 'Condappin'
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 3-4' Tall & Wide; Compact, Dwarf habit
Flower: Spikes of pink florets with a white flair from an orange eye
Foliage: Gray-green ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Early Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 3-4' Tall & Wide; Compact, Dwarf habit
Flower: Spikes of pink florets with a white flair from an orange eye
Foliage: Gray-green ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Early Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Dapper® White Buddleja davidii 'Dapconwhi'
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 3-4' Tall & Wide; Compact, Dwarf habit
Flower: Spikes of white florets with a yellow-orange eye
Foliage: Soft, gray-green ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Early Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 3-4' Tall & Wide; Compact, Dwarf habit
Flower: Spikes of white florets with a yellow-orange eye
Foliage: Soft, gray-green ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Early Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Inspired Pink® Buddleja x 'Pink Pagoda'
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 4-6' Tall & Wide
Flower: Spikes of bright, light pink florets with an orange eye
Foliage: Gray-green, ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Late Spring through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 4-6' Tall & Wide
Flower: Spikes of bright, light pink florets with an orange eye
Foliage: Gray-green, ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Late Spring through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Inspired Violet™ Buddleja x 'ILVOargus0'
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 4-10' Tall & Wide
Flower: Large, long-blooming spikes of vivid purple florets with an orange eye
Foliage: Dark, gray-green, ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Late Spring through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 4-10' Tall & Wide
Flower: Large, long-blooming spikes of vivid purple florets with an orange eye
Foliage: Dark, gray-green, ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Late Spring through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Inspired White™ Buddleja x 'ILVOargus01'
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 4-8' Tall & Wide
Flower: Spikes of bright white florets
Foliage: Dark, gray-green ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Late Spring through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 4-8' Tall & Wide
Flower: Spikes of bright white florets
Foliage: Dark, gray-green ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Late Spring through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Li'l Rasberry™ (Butterfly Candy™) Buddleja davidii 'BotEx 006'
Zone: 5 to 10
Average Size: 2-3' Tall & Wide; Dwarf habit
Flower: Spikes of vivid, hot pink florets with an orange eye
Foliage: Medium to dark gray-green, ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 2-3' Tall & Wide; Dwarf habit
Flower: Spikes of vivid, hot pink florets with an orange eye
Foliage: Medium to dark gray-green, ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Lo & Behold® Blue Chip Buddleja x USPP 19,991, Can 3,602
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 2' Tall & Wide; Dwarf habit
Flower: Spikes of bright blue-violet florets with an orange eye
Foliage: Medium to dark gray-green, ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 2' Tall & Wide; Dwarf habit
Flower: Spikes of bright blue-violet florets with an orange eye
Foliage: Medium to dark gray-green, ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Lo & Behold® Ice Chip Buddleja x USPP 24,015, Can 4,664
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 2' Tall & Wide; Dwarf habit
Flower: Spikes of bright white florets with a yellow eye
Foliage: Medium to dark gray-green leaves
Bloom Time: Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 2' Tall & Wide; Dwarf habit
Flower: Spikes of bright white florets with a yellow eye
Foliage: Medium to dark gray-green leaves
Bloom Time: Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Lo & Behold® Pink Micro Chip Buddleja x USPP 26,547, Can 5,621
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 2' Tall & Wide; Dwarf habit
Flower: Spikes of bright pink florets with an orange eye
Foliage: Medium to dark gray-green, ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Early Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 2' Tall & Wide; Dwarf habit
Flower: Spikes of bright pink florets with an orange eye
Foliage: Medium to dark gray-green, ovate leaves
Bloom Time: Early Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Miss Molly Buddleja x USPP 23,425, Can 4,446
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Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 4-5' Tall Flower: Long spikes of unique, deep, pinkish ruby red florets with an orange eye Foliage: Bright gray-green, ovate leaves Bloom Time: Mid-Summer through Early Fall Light: Full Sun Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes |
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Miss Pearl Buddleja x USPP 28,553, Can 6,344
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Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 4-5' Tall; Semi-dwarf habit Flower: Long spikes of honey-scented, pure white florets with a yellow eye Foliage: Deep green, ovate leaves Bloom Time: Summer through Fall Light: Full Sun Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes |
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Miss Ruby Buddleja x USPP 19,950, Can 3,603
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Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 4-5' Tall & Wide Flower: Long spikes of rich pink florets with an orange eye Foliage: Gray-green, ovate leaves Bloom Time: Summer Light: Full Sun Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes |
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Miss Violet Buddleja x USPP 28,448, Can 5,950
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Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 4-5' Tall & Wide Flower: Bright purple florets with an orange eye Foliage: Light gray-green leaves Bloom Time: Summer through Fall Light: Full Sun Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes |
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Nanho Blue Buddleja davidii 'Mongo'
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Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 6' Tall & Wide; Compact, dense form Flower: Periwinkle florets with an orange eye Foliage: Gray-green to blue-green, ovate leaves Bloom Time: Summer Light: Full Sun Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes |
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Nanho Purple Buddleja davidii 'Monum'
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Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 6-12' Tall & 5-8' Wide Flower: Long spikes of rich purple flowers with an orange eye Foliage: Gray-green to blue-green foliage Bloom Time: Summer Light: Full Sun Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes |
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Nanho White Buddleja davidii 'Monite'
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 6' Tall, Compact, dense form
Flower: Long spikes of white flowers; gray-green to blue-green foliage
Bloom Time: Summer
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 6' Tall, Compact, dense form
Flower: Long spikes of white flowers; gray-green to blue-green foliage
Bloom Time: Summer
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Pink Delight Buddleja davidii
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Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 6-12' Tall & 5-8' Wide, Compact, dense form Flower: Spikes of pink florets with an orange eye; gray-green to blue-green foliage Bloom Time: Light: Full Sun Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes |
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Pugster Amethyst Buddleja x 'SMNBDL'
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Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 2' Tall, 2-3' Wide; Dwarf, mounded habit Flower: Long spikes of light purple florets with an orange eye; bright green foliage Bloom Time: Summer through Fall Light: Full Sun Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes |
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Pugster Blue Buddleja x 'SMNBDBT'
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Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 2' Tall, 2-3' Wide; Dwarf, mounded habit Flower: Long spikes of blue-violet florets with an orange eye; gray-green foliage Bloom Time: Summer through Fall Light: Full Sun Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes |
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Pugster Periwinkle Buddleja x 'SMNBDO'
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Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 2' Tall, 2-3' Wide; Dwarf, mounded habit Flower: Light, warm purple florets with an orange eye; green foliage Bloom Time: Summer through Fall Light: Full Sun Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes |
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Pugster Pink Buddleja x 'SMNBDPT'
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 2' Tall, 2-3' Wide; Dwarf, mounded habit Flower: Bright pink florets with an orange eye; bright green foliage Bloom Time: Summer through Fall Light: Full Sun Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes |
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Pugster Pinker Buddleja x 'SMNBDB'
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 2' Tall, 2-3' Wide; Dwarf, mounded habit
Flower: Dark pink florets with an orange eye; bright green foliage
Bloom Time: Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 2' Tall, 2-3' Wide; Dwarf, mounded habit
Flower: Dark pink florets with an orange eye; bright green foliage
Bloom Time: Summer through Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Pugster White Buddleja x 'SMNBDW'
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Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 2' Tall, 2-3' Wide; Dwarf, mounded habit Flower: Long spikes of white florets with a yellow-orange eye; bright green foliage Bloom Time: Summer through Fall Light: Full Sun Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes |
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Royal Red Buddleja davidii
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 10-12' Tall, 8' Wide; Compact, dense form
Flower: Long spikes of rich, pink-violet flowers an orange eye; gray-green to blue-green foliage
Bloom Time: Summer
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 10-12' Tall, 8' Wide; Compact, dense form
Flower: Long spikes of rich, pink-violet flowers an orange eye; gray-green to blue-green foliage
Bloom Time: Summer
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Trippy Pink® Buddleja davidii 'Bailbudone'
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 6-8' Tall & Wide
Flower: Long spikes of hot pink florets with an orange eye; bright green leaves
Bloom Time: Late Spring through Early Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 6-8' Tall & Wide
Flower: Long spikes of hot pink florets with an orange eye; bright green leaves
Bloom Time: Late Spring through Early Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Tutti Fruitti (Free Petite®) Buddleja davidii
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 2-3' Tall & Wide; Dwarf, compact shape with upright habit
Flower: Long spikes of blue-violet florets with an orange eye; gray-green foliage
Bloom Time: Late Spring through Early Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 2-3' Tall & Wide; Dwarf, compact shape with upright habit
Flower: Long spikes of blue-violet florets with an orange eye; gray-green foliage
Bloom Time: Late Spring through Early Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
White Profusion Buddleja davidii
Zone: 5 to 9
Average Size: 6-10' Tall
Flower: Long spikes of white flowers with a yellow eye; gray-green to blue-green foliage
Bloom Time: Mid-Summer through Early Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes
Average Size: 6-10' Tall
Flower: Long spikes of white flowers with a yellow eye; gray-green to blue-green foliage
Bloom Time: Mid-Summer through Early Fall
Light: Full Sun
Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Yes