'Miss Violet' Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
Shrub
- Electric purple flowers all summer.
- Useful semi-dwarf habit from Proven Winners.
- Fragrant flowers attract butterflies.
- Sun loving and drought tolerant.
- Zones 5-9, sun, 5' tall x 5' wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Common name: Butterfly bush, summer lilac
Patient: PP28,448
Zone: 5 - 9
Sun exposure: Full sun (6+ hrs/day)
Height x width: 4-5' x 4-5'
Flower color: Purple
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Mid summer-Fall
Bloom time: Summer, Fall
Features: Proven Winners, rabbit resistant, heat tolerant, fragrant, drought tolerant, deer resistant, low flammability
Uses: Accent, border, container gardening, cottage gardening, mass planting, hedges, flower gardens, small spaces
How to Grow
Light: Full sun - at least six hours of bright sun each day is necessary for healthy plants and abundant blooms.
Water: Low to average watering; soil can even be dry once established. Butterfly bush do not tolerate wet conditions for any period of time.
Spacing: 4 to 5 feet
Fertilizing: Little needed; if desired, apply a granular rose or garden fertilizer in early spring.
Winterizing :In fall, plants can be trimmed lightly if desired, but save major pruning for spring. Do not fertilize in fall, and if mulching, do not apply heavily at the base of the plant.
Maintenance & pruning: Butterfly bushes are best pruned in spring, once the new growth has begun to emerge. At that point, cut just above where big, healthy buds appear. Give butterfly bushes plenty of time to emerge in spring, especially in colder climates - this may take several weeks, even if other plants in your yard are already leafing out.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
Planted this a month ago and it’s looking good. Can’t wait til next summer
All the plants I had ordered were dead when they arrived. It was 90° here that could’ve been the reason but there’s nowhere to ask for a refund or to ask for a replacement that I can find.
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. Our fall guarantee covers plants received after September 1 until May 2026, so we have you covered. Please send your order number and pictures of your plants to us to start the claims process if necessary. We look forward to helping!
She is healthy. She is beautiful and she is blooming like crazy
'Miss Violet' Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
This bush came packed with care. I set it out and basically watched it grow. I went out of town for 7 days and when I got home it had several blooming stalks. Very satisfied with all the plants I have purchased.
My order arrived safe and sooner than I expected. They are doing great so far.
I delayed shipping since we were going to be out of town. The plant came as promised and appeared to be healthy despite the rigors of travel. I followed the instructions and planted it a few days after receipt. I took a look at it a few minutes ago and it live it is triving in the Texas sun. I am watering it frequently and today gave it shot of granular fertilizer. There is a twin in the other corner that is doing well also.Blooms on both.
I was very pleased with the three Miss Violet butterfly bushes I purchased. They came in excellent health and still had blooms on them. I will be purchasing more in the future.
They are as expected, not a 5 foot plant, but they are already flowering. I look forward to seeing them become magnificent.
Excellent product
Too soon to tell.
My plants have adapted well and already have small blooms!
'Miss Violet' Butterfly Bush
Product as described and received in good shape and timely
The butterfly bush arrived quickly and in totally excellent condition! This was one of three and already is putting out flower clusters! Simply gorgeous!
I was so glad when I received my plants. Bow they have flower buds on them and it's only a matter of time before they are filled with pollinators, especially butterflies.
The plants came on time. 1 of them came smaller than the other two. I have been working at keeping them alive. See if they come back next year.
Hello! We're sorry to hear that you're having some trouble with your new butterfly bushes. We prioritize root growth in our plants, instead of growth above ground as this helps the plant grow stronger long term. We have a butterfly bush resource on our site that you might find helpful here: https://blog.greatgardenplants.com/questions-answered-series-butterfly-bush-buddleia/ Happy Gardening!
I will use you again. you are by far the best plant sales service on the internet
That's all I can say about it; it was a small plant when it arrived and is no bigger now, though it was planted by my great professional gardeners and in a garden.
Shipped as expected. Got into the ground and about 4 weeks later I’ve got 2 bright purple blooms on each plant. They are doing very well.0
I have her not far from another butterfly bush. The soil is the same the sunlight is as plentiful. This little girl has not grown at all in the past month. However, she is still alive and I can see the beginnings of the flowers. I am hoping that she will have a growth spurt. I am a little discouraged but ever hopeful.
Are butterfly bushes deer or rabbit resistant
Yes, butterfly bushes are deer and rabbit resistant!
I live in zone 9. We have freeze temps in winter. Will this plant survive
Hello! The 'Miss Violet' Butterfly Bush is hardy in zones 5-9, which means it can withstand winter temperatures of -10 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
What temperatures will they tolerate?
The 'Miss Violet' Butterfly Bush is tolerant of a range of temperatures as it is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9. This means it can survive winter temperatures down to -20°F, which is characteristic of zone 5, and can also handle the warmer temperatures of zone 9.
can butterfly bushes still be planted this year
Certainly! Butterfly bushes can be planted as long as the conditions are right. The ideal planting time for butterfly bushes is in the spring or early fall, to give them enough time to establish roots before the extreme weather of winter or summer.
However, if you are asking later in the season and your region experiences mild winters, you can still plant butterfly bushes. Just ensure they are watered well and have time to establish before the cold sets in. Be mindful not to plant when it's too late in the fall, as the plants may not have sufficient time to establish before the frost, especially in colder climates.
If you're considering planting now, check your local weather forecasts and ensure there are several weeks of mild weather ahead for the best results.
The past couple of winters we have had very rainy weather. Would it be wise to cover the plants so as not to be drenched, or, since I plan to put these in pots, would it be wiser to move them on to a covered porch?
Yes, either one of those options is a good idea. Check out our gardening article for more information on overwintering your container plants:
https://blog.greatgardenplants.com/5-easy-tips-for-protecting-your-potted-plants-this-winter/