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Black Knight Butterfly Bush

Buddleia davidii 'Black Knight'

Nature Hills Nursery
  • Deepest Dark Purple Blooms Attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds 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
$7409
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Plant Characteristics Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Deer-resistant, Flowering, Fragrant, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts pollinators, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Fast-growing
Hardiness Zone 5a9b
Sunlight Full sun
Height 6-8 ft
Width 3-5 ft
Watering Needs Moderate
Preferred Soil Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate Fast
Growth Habit Bushy, Spreading
Blooms In Fall, Summer
Flower Color Purple
Foliage Color Green
Fragrant Yes
Suitable Space Outdoors
Botanical Name Buddleia davidii 'Black Knight'
Species davidii
Cultivar Black Knight
Class Lamiales, Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR, WA
AdviceBestEnvironmentGrowingNature hillsPackagingPlantPlantsRepresentativeWay
A
Anonymous (United States)
A bush is a far cry

A bush is a far cry, it’s 1” in height, and you’re calling it a bush!? Very disappointing!

C
CR (United States)
Growing

Growing well!

C
Celeste (United States)
A lot smaller then I thought it would be

A lot smaller then I thought it would be ..if I would have known how small it was going to be ,I would have just bought one in person ..other then that…it seems healthy

L
Les (United States)
Butterfly bushes

They are planted, seem to be doing ok but don’t see much new growth - in the ground almost 2 weeks

T
Thomas (United States)
Pleased with all plants

Pleased with all plants, packaging was outstanding

Hi Thomas - Thank you for all your glowing reviews! Please be sure to send us some photos of all your butterfly bushes along with all the butterflies that will find joy in the beautiful landscape you are providing for them! Happy Planting - Nature Hills Customer Support

D
David (United States)
Came well packed and healthy

Came well packed and healthy. Transplanted easily and have taken to their new environment.

Hi David! Thank you for the review! We are so glad to hear that your Black Knight Butterfly Bush arrived in good condition and is thriving in its new home. As a gardening tip, make sure to deadhead spent flowers to encourage new growth and blooms. Happy gardening! -Nature Hills Customer Service

M
Mel (United States)
A Beautiful Plant

I have tried five times to have success with the Black Knight. This time, I think it will work. I got good advice from a Nature Hills representative, and the plant itself came bigger and healthier than I expected. Right now it seems very happy. I'll do my best to keep it that way, growing and thriving.

Dear Mel,

Thank you for your fantastic review of the Black Knight Butterfly Bush! We are so pleased to hear that your previous attempts haven't discouraged you and that this time, with some good advice and a healthy plant from Nature Hills, you're seeing such great success. It's truly rewarding to know that your 'Black Knight' is happy, growing, and thriving.

The 'Black Knight' Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii 'Black Knight') is a truly stunning plant, beloved for its deep purple, fragrant blooms that attract pollinators. We're glad to hear that the advice you received was helpful in ensuring its establishment and growth. Proper planting, adequate sunlight, and good drainage are key for these beautiful shrubs.

To greener days ahead, Nature Hills Customer Care & Plant Support

P
Patricia
now have 3 of different colord

Arrived in perfect shape trimmed and ready to be planted. It is thriving in my garden now

Hi Patricia,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful update! We're thrilled to hear that your new plants arrived healthy, well-trimmed, and ready to flourish—and even more delighted that all three are thriving in your garden. It sounds like you’re creating a lovely, colorful landscape! If you ever want tips on care or ideas to enhance your garden's beauty even further, don’t hesitate to reach out. We're always here to support your green thumb journey.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

P
Pat
now have 3 of different colord

Arrived in perfect shape trimmed and ready to be planted. It is thriving in my garden now

Dear Pat O.,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We’re thrilled to hear that your plants arrived in perfect condition and are now thriving in your garden. It sounds like your garden must be bursting with beautiful colors having three different ones growing so well. If you ever have questions about care tips, pruning, or even adding complementary plant varieties, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always here to help your garden flourish.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

S
Sandra
Always great

Wonderful service and great products.

Hi Sandra,

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you’re pleased with our service and products. It means a lot to us that you feel supported on your gardening journey. If you ever need assistance selecting the perfect plants or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always here to help your garden thrive!

Blessings for beautiful blooms,
Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

J
Jacki
Great

I got it in may and with in a few weeks it was blooming. The flower is smaller than regular lilac bushes. Its very pretty.

Hi Jacki B.,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your lilac! We’re delighted to hear it started blooming so quickly and that you’re enjoying its pretty flowers. You’re right that some lilac varieties, especially the dwarf or smaller cultivars, tend to have more petite blooms compared to the traditional lilac bushes—they’re perfect for adding charm to tighter spaces or containers.

If you'd ever like tips on continuing to nurture it through the seasons or suggestions for companion plants that complement your lilac beautifully, we’re always here to help!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

S
Sandra
Always great

Wonderful service and great products.

Hello Sandra,

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're truly grateful to know that you’re pleased with both our service and products. It’s our mission to provide plants and care that help your garden thrive, so hearing your positive feedback motivates us every day. If there’s ever anything more we can assist you with—whether it’s plant recommendations, care tips, or tracking your order—please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

j
jacki
Great

I got it in may and with in a few weeks it was blooming. The flower is smaller than regular lilac bushes. Its very pretty.

Dear Jacki,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with your lilac! We’re delighted to hear it began blooming so soon after planting—that’s always such a rewarding moment. You’re right, many varieties of lilac produce smaller flowers compared to traditional shrubs, and this more delicate bloom is what makes them especially charming and perfect for cozy garden spots.

If you’d like, we’re happy to recommend some pruning tips or fertilizing suggestions to help amplify the blooms even further next season. Feel free to reach out anytime for personalized care advice.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

G
Guest
Black Knight Butterfly Bush

Plant arrived perfect

Hi,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful feedback about your Black Knight Butterfly Bush! We're delighted to hear it arrived in perfect condition – we know how important it is for your plants to arrive healthy and ready to thrive. Should you ever need tips on planting or care to help your butterfly bush flourish—even attracting those beautiful pollinators—you can always count on us for guidance.

If you’d like, feel free to explore our online resources or reach out anytime for personalized plant care advice. We're here to help your garden grow beautifully every step of the way!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

M
Michelle
Black Knight Butterfly Bush

Plant arrived perfect

Dear Michelle,

Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience with the Black Knight Butterfly Bush! We’re delighted to hear your plant arrived in perfect condition. If you ever have any questions about optimal care or want tips on helping your butterfly bush thrive and attract those lovely pollinators, feel free to reach out. We’re here to support your gardening journey every step of the way.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

M
Mike
Vibrant Bush

This bush has flowered each of the past two and a half years. Flowers last a while, but not during the hot Texas summer months. Haven't noticed any fragrance yet. Butterflies do like it.

Hi Mike,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your vibrant bush! It’s wonderful to hear it has been blooming beautifully for over two and a half years and attracting butterflies—that’s always a good sign of a healthy, thriving plant. You’re right that many flowering plants can quiet down during the intense Texas summer heat; providing afternoon shade or supplemental watering can sometimes help extend their flowering period during these hot months.

Regarding the fragrance, some varieties are more fragrant than others, so if fragrance is something you'd like to explore in the future, we’re happy to recommend additional plants known for their sweet scents and heat tolerance. Meanwhile, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions or want tips on caring for your bush through the summer!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

M
Michael
Vibrant Bush

This bush has flowered each of the past two and a half years. Flowers last a while, but not during the hot Texas summer months. Haven't noticed any fragrance yet. Butterflies do like it.

Dear Michael,

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughtful feedback on your vibrant bush! We're delighted to hear it has been flowering consistently for over two years and that the butterflies find it as appealing as you do. It's quite common for flowering to taper off during the hottest Texas months, as many plants become stressed in extreme heat. To help your bush stay robust during summer, ensuring it has some afternoon shade and regular deep watering can make a big difference.

Regarding the fragrance, some cultivars naturally have little to no scent; if you’re looking for more floral fragrance to complement the butterflies, we’d be happy to suggest some particular varieties you might love. Also, feel free to explore our care guides on heat management and plant stress on NatureHills.com for extra seasonal tips!

We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to assisting you in cultivating even more garden joy.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

S
Sue
Great customer service Julia!!!!

I ordered two of these recently and they arrived badly broken. They were packed quite well, but I think the delivery service thought the box was a kickball or perhaps a large maracca. I called customer service and spoke to Julia who handled the whole thing like a champ and got me two more plants (undamaged this time) delivered to my house in less than two days. The breakage wasn't Nature Hills fault, but they replaced the plants anyway. Now THAT is killer customer service, start to finish. Someone give that woman a raise.

Hi Sue,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughtful feedback! We’re truly delighted to hear that Julia was able to turn a tough situation around and get your Black Knight Butterfly Bush replacements to you so quickly and in perfect shape. While it’s regrettable your first shipment endured a rough ride, your kind words highlight exactly the level of care and service we strive to deliver here at Nature Hills.

If you ever have any questions about planting or caring for your Butterfly Bush to help it thrive and attract plenty of beautiful pollinators, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to offer tips and guidance to see your garden flourish.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

S
Sue
Great customer service Julia!!!!

I ordered two of these recently and they arrived badly broken. They were packed quite well, but I think the delivery service thought the box was a kickball or perhaps a large maracca. I called customer service and spoke to Julia who handled the whole thing like a champ and got me two more plants (undamaged this time) delivered to my house in less than two days. The breakage wasn't Nature Hills fault, but they replaced the plants anyway. Now THAT is killer customer service, start to finish. Someone give that woman a raise.

Hello Sue,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderfully detailed feedback! We’re truly sorry to hear your Black Knight Butterfly Bush plants arrived in less-than-ideal condition, but we’re delighted that Julia was able to step in and turn your experience around with speedy replacements. It’s uplifting to know her efforts made a difference—she’ll absolutely appreciate your kind words!

We always strive to minimize damage during transit though, during busy shipping times, sometimes those delivery 'maraccas' echo a little too much. If you’re ever concerned in the future, feel free to reach out right away, as our team stands ready to help ensure your plants arrive safely, healthy, and ready for your garden to grow.

As you wait for your butterfly bushes to thrive, you might find our planting and care tips handy: ensuring well-drained soil and full sun will encourage them to bloom beautifully. The “Butterfly Bush Care Guide” on our website has easy-to-follow advice, too – happy to send a direct link whenever you like!

Thanks again, Sue, for your wonderful trust and glowing praise. We look forward to seeing your garden flourish with these stunning plants.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mature size and height of Black Knight Butterfly Bush?
  • Black Knight Butterfly Bush typically reaches 4-6 feet tall and wide at maturity. These are described as "sizeable shrubs" with light, airy branching that won't completely block views. Allow adequate space for their full spread when planting in borders or as specimen plants.

Is Black Knight Butterfly Bush invasive in my area?
  • Buddleia davidii can be invasive in some regions, particularly the Pacific Northwest and parts of the Northeast. The species readily self-seeds and may escape cultivation into natural areas. Check your local extension office or state invasive species list before planting, and consider sterile cultivars available at naturehills.com if concerns exist in your area.

What are the basic care requirements for Black Knight Butterfly Bush?
  • Black Knight Butterfly Bush thrives in full sun with well-draining soil and requires minimal maintenance once established. This hardy shrub tolerates drought conditions after its first year and benefits from annual pruning in late winter or early spring. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering from summer through fall.

What type of soil does Black Knight Butterfly Bush need, and does it require good drainage?
  • Black Knight Butterfly Bush thrives in well-draining soil and is quite adaptable to various soil types. Poor drainage can lead to root rot, so avoid heavy clay or consistently wet areas. Plant in loose, fertile soil amended with compost for best blooming performance.

How often should I water Black Knight Butterfly Bush, and what are signs of overwatering?
  • Water deeply once weekly during dry spells; Black Knight Butterfly Bush is quite drought tolerant once established. Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves, wilting despite moist soil, and poor flowering. Allow soil to dry between waterings for best blooms that attract butterflies all season long.

When is the best time to plant Black Knight Butterfly Bush—spring, summer, or fall?
  • Spring planting is ideal for Black Knight Butterfly Bush, giving roots time to establish before summer blooms. Fall planting also works well in milder climates. Plant after your last frost date when soil is workable and temperatures consistently stay above freezing.

How do I prune Black Knight Butterfly Bush, and when should I do it?
  • Prune Black Knight Butterfly Bush in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cut stems back to 12-18 inches from the ground to encourage vigorous blooming. This hard pruning promotes the best flower production on new wood and maintains a manageable size.

Is Black Knight Butterfly Bush deer-resistant?
  • Black Knight Butterfly Bush is generally deer-resistant due to its strong fragrance and slightly fuzzy foliage that deer typically avoid. However, hungry deer may browse any plant during harsh conditions or food shortages. Plant it in areas where deer pressure is moderate for best results.

How does Black Knight Butterfly Bush ship, and what is the condition upon arrival?
  • Black Knight Butterfly Bush ships as a dormant bare-root plant or in a container, depending on the season. The shrub arrives healthy and ready to plant, typically measuring 12-18 inches tall upon delivery. Plant immediately after arrival or keep the roots moist if planting must be delayed.

Will Black Knight Butterfly Bush survive winter in zones 5 or 6, and how do I protect it?
  • Black Knight Butterfly Bush is hardy in zones 5-6 but may experience winter dieback in zone 5. In colder areas, apply 3-4 inches of mulch around the base after the first hard frost. Cut back to 12-18 inches in late winter if stems die back.
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