Also known as Butterfly Bush · 7.6k gardener saves
Buddleja: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Buddleja, the genus most gardeners know as butterfly bush. We track 91 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Buddleja varieties
Of 91 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedPugster Amethyst Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii 'Pugster Amethyst'
#2 most savedPugster Pink Butterfly Bush
Buddleia davidii 'Pugster Pinker'
#3 most savedTrio Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii 'Trio'
Bicolor Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii 'Bicolor'
Grand Cascade Butterfly Bush
Buddleia davidii 'Grand Cascade'
Butterfly Bush Purple Prince
Buddleia davidii 'Purple Prince'
Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii
Honeycomb Butterfly Bush
Buddleia davidii 'Honeycomb'
Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii 'Butterfly Haven'
Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush
Buddleia davidii 'Pugster Blue'
Butterfly Bush Sky Blue
Buddleja davidii 'Sky Blue'
Deluxe Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii 'Deluxe'
Browse all 91 Buddleja varieties →
How to grow Buddleja
What the Buddleja varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Buddleja year
- PruneFebruary100% of varieties
Cut back hard (to 12-18 inches) in late winter/early spring, as it blooms on new wood.
- DeadheadJune–September98% of varieties
Remove spent flower spikes immediately to encourage rebloom and prevent aggressive self-seeding.
- FertilizeMarch45% of varieties
Apply a balanced fertilizer after pruning to support vigorous summer growth.
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Provide full sun for optimal flowering 🌞
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
What goes wrong with Buddleja
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. |
| Spider Mites | Webbing and speckled leaves | Maintain humidity and apply insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and use horticultural oil |
| Scale insects | Shell-like bumps on stems and leaves | Use horticultural oil during dormant season |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if needed. |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply sulfur fungicide |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Buddleja
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil.
- Keep in bright, indirect light for 6 weeks.
Layering
- Select a low branch and bend it to the ground.
- Wound the underside slightly and cover with soil.
- Secure with a stone or pin.
- Wait for roots to develop over 6–8 weeks.
Buddleja questions
How many types of Buddleja are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 91 distinct Buddleja varieties. The most popular — ranked by 7.6k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Buddleja grow in?
Across its varieties, Buddleja covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Buddleja bloom?
Most Buddleja varieties bloom in mid-summer, summer to fall, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Buddleja should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Buddleja
Buddleja shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Buddleja in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
