shrub

Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush

Buddleja 'Lo & Behold Ruby Chip'

The Story

Plant Bio

Buddleia, commonly known as butterfly bush, are fast-growing shrubs renowned for their long, honey-scented flower panicles that are highly attractive to butterflies and other pollinators.

'Lo & Behold Ruby Chip' is a revolutionary dwarf variety that is non-invasive and seedless. It forms a tidy, compact mound and produces vibrant magenta-red flowers continuously all summer long.

Uses & Benefits:

The 'Lo & Behold Ruby Chip' provides a continuous blast of vibrant magenta-red color from summer until frost on a tidy, compact plant. Its silvery-green foliage offers a nice contrast, making it an excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, or containers.

This cultivar is sterile and non-invasive, addressing the major concern with older Buddleia varieties. Its dwarf size makes it suitable for small gardens and urban spaces, and its drought tolerance reduces watering needs once established.

As its common name suggests, butterfly bush is a magnet for pollinators. It provides a crucial late-season nectar source for dozens of butterfly species, as well as bees and hummingbirds, supporting local ecosystems.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

30 inches

Width

30 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low to medium

Humidity

Tolerates a wide range

Lifespan

10-15 years

Native To

Hybrid (Cultivated origin)

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Early summer – Mid-fall

In flower about 5 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site that receives at least six hours of direct sun.
Ensure the soil is very well-drained; amend with grit if needed.
Dig a hole as deep and twice as wide as the pot.
Place the plant in the hole, ensuring it's at the same depth.
Backfill with soil and water well to settle.
Prune back hard in early spring to encourage vigorous new growth.

Pro Tip

Plant in full, hot sun and well-drained soil for the most prolific blooms and best plant health; they languish in shade.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide full sun for maximum flowering.
Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Cut the entire plant back to about one foot in early spring.

Don't

Do not plant in wet, poorly drained soil.
Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to weak growth and fewer flowers.
Do not prune in the fall, as this can reduce winter hardiness.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Vibrant pollinator garden centerpieceCompact flowering shrub for containersContinuous color in mixed perennial borders

Companion Plants

Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus'Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush questions

What zones can Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush grow in?

Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush deer resistant?

Yes — Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush bloom?

Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush typically blooms in early summer through mid-fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush need full sun?

Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.