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Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush

Buddleia davidii 'Miss Ruby'

Proven Winners®
  • Deep Ruby-Pink Blooms Attract Butterflies, Hummingbirds and Bees All Summer Long
  • Thrives in Zones 5-9
  • Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant
  • Sweetly Fragrant Flowers
  • Great Choice for Foundation Planting in Cottage Gardens
$2614
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Plant in full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light each day. More sun results in the most vibrant ruby color and the highest nectar production for visiting butterflies.
  • Soil: This shrub requires excellent drainage and thrives in average soil. If you have heavy clay, plant it in a mound or a raised bed to keep the roots from sitting in standing water.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water twice a week to help the root system reach deep into the soil. Once established, Miss Ruby is notably drought tolerant and only needs supplemental water during long dry spells. If the soil stays bone dry for too long, you will notice smaller flower spikes and the plant may drop its lower leaves to conserve energy.

Pruning Tips

Miss Ruby blooms on new wood, so you should prune it back to about 12 inches above the ground in late winter or early spring. Think of this like a yearly haircut that encourages the plant to send out fresh, vigorous stems which hold the best flowers. You can also snip off dead flower spikes during the summer to signal the plant to keep producing new blooms until the first frost.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer once in early spring as you see new green growth appearing. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because they encourage soft growth that is easily damaged by the coming winter freezes. A light hand is best since over-fertilizing often results in a massive bush with very few actual flowers.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

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Photo courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com

Proven Winners® ColorChoice® has done it again! The brilliant Miss Series of Buddleia! The Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii 'Miss Ruby') is an ornamental flowering shrub with particular allure to butterflies!

The aromatic gray-green foliage is the perfect foundation for the scented hot-colored ruby-pink to magenta-hued flowering spires are packed full of tiny florets. The delicious nectar the blooms produce, sweetened in the midday sun, creates a tempting call to Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees … giving the "Butterfly Bush" its name. Many feel that the bright color this Miss Ruby variety presents is the most vibrant of any Butterfly Bush available today!

At times your Butterfly Bush will be so covered with butterflies that the foliage will seem to be alive with movement! Even without the magnificent flowers, Miss Ruby presents a full, lush appearance for your landscape, its elliptic, grey-green leaves are a lovely accompaniment to the dazzling blooms.

Planting and Application:

Fast-growing, Butterfly Bushes create screening and privacy in a hurry! Growing up to 5 feet in height and width, you'll love the flowering backdrops and property division with the fragrant perk! Envelop seating areas and pool decks to create the feel of seasonal hideaways you'll never want to leave! Plant one near a path or patio where the vivid color and enticing fragrance are sure to delight you throughout the summer!

Tough enough for Rock Gardens and pretty enough for Cottage borders, these shrubs are brilliant pops of color whether in the Perennial border or the Formal Garden! Even larger containers and planters shine in the sun! Grow several of them, so you have enough of their honey-scented blooms to bring for indoor cut flower arrangements!

  • Brilliant Hot Purple-Pink Fragrant Blooms
  • Gray-Green Aromatic Leaves & Mid-Sized Form
  • Attracts Butterflies & Hummingbirds
  • Scented Blooms For Cut Flowers
  • Great Hedges, Screens, Containers & Brilliant Specimens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Butterfly Bushes need full sun to do their best. Plant these shrubs in sharply drained soils with regular fertility and a 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch to protect the roots. New plants need regular moisture access but can become drought-tolerant once established.

Deadheading during the summer can increase your blooms, but isn't necessary. Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush is a deciduous, well-branched bush in warm climates, and only need to be trimmed in the early spring to remove dead branching, but can also be pruned to about a foot above the ground. In northern climates, Butterfly Bushes will die back to the ground like an herbaceous Perennial for the winter and pruned back in the spring just a few inches above the ground. Miss Ruby has no significant disease or insect issues, and both rabbits and deer tend to pass it by.

  • Full Sun Shrubs/Perennials
  • Well-Drained Soil
  • Moderate to Low Moisture
  • Hardy & Drought Tolerant
  • Deer Resistant
  • Deadhead For Rebloom & Prune In Early Spring

For consistent blooms of high quality and an abundance of color for your landscape, you can't go wrong with Miss Ruby Butterfly Bushes from Proven Winners® ColorChoice® and Nature Hills Nursery! Once you plant one of these superior bushes in your yard, it won't be long before it's just as popular with you as it is with your butterflies and other pollinators.

Growing Zones 5-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush suitable for?
  • Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. This cold-hardy shrub can withstand winter temperatures down to -20°F while still producing vibrant blooms each summer. Check your local zone before planting to ensure success.

How tall and wide does Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush grow at maturity?
  • Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush reaches 5 feet tall and 5 feet wide at maturity. This compact size makes it perfect for smaller gardens while still providing excellent screening. Plan adequate spacing when planting multiples, available at naturehills.com.

Does Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush need full sun or can it tolerate partial shade?
  • Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush thrives in full sun for the most vibrant blooms and compact growth. It can tolerate partial shade but may become leggy with fewer flowers. Plant in a spot receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best performance.

What type of soil does Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush prefer and what is the ideal pH range?
  • Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush thrives in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0-7.5. This adaptable shrub tolerates various soil types from average garden soil to rocky conditions. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot and amend heavy clay soils with compost before planting.

How often should I water Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush after planting?
  • Water newly planted Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush deeply 2-3 times per week for the first month. Once established, this drought-tolerant shrub needs minimal watering except during extended dry periods. Check soil moisture by inserting your finger 2 inches deep before watering.

Is Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush considered a fast-growing or slow-growing shrub?
  • Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush is considered a fast-growing shrub. It quickly reaches its mature size of 5 feet in both height and width, making it an excellent choice for creating screening and privacy in a hurry. Plant it where you want quick impact in your landscape.

Is Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush deer resistant?
  • Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush is generally deer resistant due to its aromatic foliage and strong fragrance that deer typically avoid. The gray-green leaves have a natural scent that deters browsing. For best results, plant in sunny locations where the fragrance is most pronounced.

What size container will my Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush arrive in and when is the best time to ship?
  • Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush typically ships in a 1-gallon container as a young plant. The best shipping time is spring after the last frost when soil can be worked, though fall planting is also successful in most zones. Plant immediately upon arrival for fastest establishment.

Does Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush require regular pruning and when should I prune it?
  • Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush benefits from annual pruning to maintain its 5-foot size and encourage abundant blooms. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, cutting back by one-third to one-half. This promotes vigorous flowering and prevents the shrub from becoming overgrown.
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