Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush

Buddleia davidii 'PIIBD-I'

First Editions®

Massive 6-10 Inch Violet-Purple Flower Spikes Attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds All Summer
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Grows 8-10 ft Tall, 6-8 ft Wide
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant
Sweetly Fragrant Flowers

$63⁷⁴

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Plant Size

#2 Container

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Give this beauty at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun every day. While it can survive in partial shade, you will notice fewer flowers and leggy growth if it does not get enough light to fuel its energy.
Soil: Plant in soil that drains quickly because these shrubs are prone to root rot in soggy conditions. If you have heavy clay, mix in some organic compost or plant in a slight mound to improve drainage and keep the roots healthy.

Watering Requirements

For the first growing season, water deeply two or three times a week to help the root system settle into its new home. Once mature, Groovy Grape is quite drought tolerant, but inconsistent watering during extreme heat can lead to smaller flower spikes and wilted foliage. Think of consistent moisture as the fuel that keeps those purple blooms coming all summer long.

Pruning Tips

Since this variety blooms on new wood, you should cut the entire plant back to about 12 inches from the ground in late winter or early spring. This drastic haircut stimulates vigorous new growth and ensures a massive display of fresh flowers. Deadheading spent flower spikes throughout the summer prevents the plant from wasting energy on seeds and redirects it into producing new buds.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring just as new growth begins to emerge from the base. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because they promote soft, green growth that is easily damaged by the first hard frost. A single application in the spring is usually all this vigorous grower needs to thrive.

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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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Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Attracts pollinators, Fast-growing, Flowering, Fragrant
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	8-10 ft
Width	6-8 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 'PIIBD-I'
Species	davidii
Cultivar	PIIBD-I
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR, WA

Do you want a groovy butterfly garden this year? Turn any space in your garden into a butterfly hotspot with the First Editions® Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii 'PIIBD-I')! This is an ornamental flowering shrub covered in huge, six to ten inches long, spikes of violet-purple flowers that are an instant draw to butterflies and Hummingbirds far and wide!

The fragrant flowers are strikingly colored and come in droves, ensuring that you will have plenty of cut flowers for bouquets without depriving your pollinators! Groovy Grape™ flowers are a classic deep color, accented by contrasting orange centers of each floret packed tightly along each spire.

The gray-green aromatic leaves are the perfect backdrop to the enormous spires and present an airy, elegant branching, 8-10 feet in height. Wonderfully adaptable throughout USDA planting zones 5 to 9, Butterfly Bushes are easy to care for and low-maintenance garden gems!

Planting and Application:

Groovy Grape™ will grow quickly to fill in bare spots in your foundation plantings, borders, and sun-drenched garden beds. They will reach their full height every year before you know it. Plant it with other butterfly-attracting plants in shades of yellows and oranges, or lavenders and blues!

These tall shrubs are fantastic screening and airy hedges that won't break the bank! En masse plantings thrive in hot sunny and Xeric locations and Rock Gardens alike! Groovy Grape™ shows off as specimen plantings when used solo, shining in the garden and always comes with their usual entourage of pollinators!

These ornamentals do equally well in the Cottage garden and pampered front garden berm! In fact, about any garden becomes a pollinator and cut flower garden with the addition of these brilliant flowering gems!

Violet-Purple Fragrant Flowers
Soft Silvery Green Foliage
Mid-Sized Graceful Shrub
Butterfly & Hummingbird Magnet
Brilliant Specimens & Focal Points, Mixed Hedges, Backdrops & Mass Plantings

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Like all Butterfly Bushes, Groovy Grape™ does best in full sun, otherwise it will get leggy and sparse. Not doing well with wet feet, these plants need a place in your garden with good drainage and Nature Hills Root Booster to start them off best. Regular water is necessary for all new plants but once established, Buddleia (or Buddleja as they're sometimes spelled) can be low-moisture usage plants! You will keep the blooms popping with supplemental water during drought and high summer temperatures, as well as with regular Deadheading. That way you will have flowers well into autumn.

Provide 3-4 inches of arborist mulch to hold in moisture and insulate the roots. Once winter hits, Groovy Grape™ will die back to the ground in cold winter places like an herbaceous Perennial. In warmer climates, they act as woody shrubs. Either way, prune it back in spring to 12 inches to rejuvenate the entire plant.

Full Sun For The Most Blooms
Well-Drained Soil
Fast Growing & Cold Hardy
Moderate Moisture & Fertility
Deer Seldom Bother Them
Prune In Early Spring

Get your groove on and order your First Editions® Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush today and enjoy bountiful blooms and butterflies in your landscape! Now available at Nature Hills Nursery!

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Growing Zones 5-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush survive in zone 5, or does it die back completely?

Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush is hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and will survive zone 5 winters. In colder zones like 5, it may experience some winter dieback but will regrow quickly to reach its full 8-10 foot height each growing season. Plant in a protected location and mulch around the base for best winter survival.

How much space should I leave between multiple Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush plants?

Space Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush plants 6-8 feet apart for individual specimens, or 4-5 feet for hedge plantings. These shrubs reach 8-10 feet tall and wide at maturity in zones 5-9. For mass plantings, closer spacing creates faster coverage. Shop Nature Hills for healthy plants.

Does Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush require full sun, and how many hours exactly?

Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush thrives in full sun locations and hot, sunny conditions. Like most butterfly bushes, it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce those spectacular 6-10 inch flower spikes. Plant in your sunniest spot for maximum blooms and butterfly activity.

What kind of soil does Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush need, and does it tolerate drought?

Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush thrives in well-draining soil and handles drought conditions well once established. This adaptable shrub performs excellently in hot, sunny, and xeric (dry) locations across zones 5-9. Plant in full sun with average garden soil for best results.

How do I prune Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush, and when is the best time?

Prune Groovy Grape™ 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 blooms on new wood. This hard pruning maintains the 8-10 foot mature size and maximizes flowering. Shop Nature Hills for pruning tools.

Should I deadhead the flowers on Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush to extend blooming?

Deadheading spent blooms on Groovy Grape™ will encourage continuous flowering throughout the growing season. Since this variety produces abundant 6-10 inch flower spikes, regular deadheading prevents energy from going to seed production. Cut just above the next flower bud or leaf node for best results.

Can Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush be grown in pots or containers?

Yes, Groovy Grape™ can be grown in containers, though it reaches 8-10 feet tall at maturity. Choose a large pot (at least 20 gallons) and expect more frequent watering in zones 5-9. Use well-draining potting mix and plan to repot every 2-3 years as it grows quickly.

Is Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush resistant to pests and diseases, like spider mites or aphids?

Butterfly bushes are generally resistant to most pests and diseases, though aphids and spider mites can occasionally appear during hot, dry periods. The Groovy Grape's vigorous growth in zones 5-9 helps it outpace minor pest issues. Provide good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent problems.

Groovy Grape™ Butterfly Bush

Buddleia davidii 'PIIBD-I'