Shrub
Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii
Monrovia® varieties
Varieties We Carry
Little Rockstar, PurpleBuddleja davidiiLittle Rockstar, WhiteBuddleja davidiiBlack KnightBuddleja davidii
Sizes & Pricing
1 galFrom$9.95
2 galFrom$16.95
3 galFrom$14.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked May 21.
LightFull Sun
WaterModerate
Mature size6-12 feet (can be maintained 4-5 ft with pruning) × 4-15 feet (typically 4-6 ft with regular pruning in NE Florida)
About Butterfly Bush
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii) is a fast-growing, evergreen-in-Florida shrub bearing long, fragrant panicles of purple, pink, white, or yellow flowers that draw butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds from summer through fall. In NE Florida (zone 9b) it stays evergreen and can reach 6–12 ft if unpruned — regular hard pruning keeps it tidy and maximizes bloom; choose sterile cultivars to prevent invasive spread. Starting at $9.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Summer, Fall
- Flower Color
- White, Pink, Purple
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Evergreen (remains evergreen in zone 9b)
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Bloom season.
Bloom season. Foliage may begin to change or drop. Ideal planting window.
Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Light
Requires full sun (6+ hours daily) for best flowering; in NE Florida it blooms most freely in open, sunny beds with excellent air circulation to reduce susceptibility to rust and mites.
Water
Water regularly while establishing; once mature, Butterfly Bush is moderately drought tolerant but benefits from deep watering during dry spells — avoid waterlogged conditions that promote nematode damage.
Soil & Fertilizer
Grow in average, well-drained sandy or loamy soil; fertilize three times per year (spring, summer, fall) with a granular fertilizer, and prune hard in early spring to encourage large, new-wood flower spikes.
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Common questions
Is Butterfly Bush a good plant for St. Augustine?
Butterfly Bush is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with medium salt tolerance, reaching 6-12 feet (can be maintained 4-5 ft with pruning) × 4-15 feet (typically 4-6 ft with regular pruning in NE Florida).
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.