Lo & Behold® Ruby Chip® Butterfly Bush

Buddleia davidii x 'SMNBDD'

Proven Winners®

Compact Butterfly Bush with Full-Sized Ruby Blooms from Summer Through Frost
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Sweetly Fragrant Flowers
Pollinator-Friendly Shrub
Fast-Growing in Full Sun

$26³⁶

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Plant Size

Quart Container #3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This variety thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily. Maximum sun exposure is essential for the "Ruby Chip" to maintain its intense flower color and compact, mounded shape.
Soil: These plants prefer well-drained soil and will struggle in "wet feet" or soggy areas. If you have heavy clay, plant it in a raised bed or a slight mound to ensure gravity pulls excess moisture away from the roots.

Watering Requirements

For the first growing season, water your Butterfly Bush twice a week to help the root system settle into its new home. Once established, these plants are remarkably drought tolerant, though consistent moisture leads to a much heavier "bloom show." If the soil stays bone-dry for too long, you will notice fewer flower spikes and smaller leaves as the plant enters a defensive stress mode.

Pruning Tips

The Ruby Chip blooms on new wood, which means it develops flower buds on the fresh stems that grow each spring. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring just as new growth begins to peep out. Think of this like a "reset button" by cutting the entire plant back to about 12 inches tall; this encourages a flush of vigorous new stems and a tidier, more floriferous habit.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a general-purpose, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as the plant wakes up from dormancy. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this triggers soft, leafy growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. This late-season "tender" growth is much more susceptible to winter kill and can weaken the overall health of the shrub.

Delivery and Shipping

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

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Compact/Dwarf, Flowering, Fragrant, Seedless, Deer-resistant, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts pollinators, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Container Friendly
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	2-3 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Growth Rate	Fast
Blooms In	Summer, Fall
Flower Color	Purple, Red, Pink
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Botanical Name	Buddleia davidii x 'SMNBDD'
Species	davidii x
Cultivar	SMNBDD
Class	Lamiales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR

Plant scientists and breeders are working hard to bring small, reblooming plants to market! After all, modern landscape trends call for a big color punch without having to devote too much space to it. From the Proven Winners® ColorChoice® line of fantastic plants, you'll get that bold ruby color you crave in a nice compact plant!

Introducing the Lo & Behold® Ruby Chip® Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii x 'SMNBDD'), the blooms just keep coming! From mid-summer through frost, you'll get super-showy full-sized flower panicles. Not only do you get to enjoy their outstanding visual impact ... so will your local butterflies and hummingbirds!

No need to worry about invasive seedlings so common to the old-fashioned species of Buddleia. Ruby Chip® produces gorgeous non-invasive blooms. They'll stay well-behaved, compact and tidy for you without mess! The aromatic gray-green foliage is just the start of the show!

Cherish the long, curved blooms as they start out a fiery ruby-red. Watch for hints of magenta will come on as they mature. The blooms finally age to a lovely pink. You'll see all three colors on a single plant at the same time! This shrub truly puts on a spectacular show. Sneak a few blooms for free-form cut flower arrangements. Their light honey scent will delight you indoors.

Lo & Behold® Ruby Chip® Butterfly Bush generously provides a rich nectar resource for Hummingbirds, and blooms just as Monarch butterflies are gearing up for their long annual migration. This thoughtful choice goes above and beyond to support pollinators in your area.

Planting and Application:

Pop these small plants into your existing perennial gardens to give them a little "perk-me-up". They'll effortlessly boost the flower power. Plant them near entryways...whether it's beside your front door or on either side of the garden gate. These small plants capture attention and deliver easy curb appeal.

Grow them in the ground, or keep them in containers on your patio or balcony. Try them as a showy "Thriller" in outdoor pots. You can also use several of them as a "Filler" around the edges of those enormous containers you see nowadays.

Of course, you can also use them to attract pollinators near a Victory Garden, too. Go ahead and plant a second sowing of veggies in mid-summer for fall harvest. Extend the season of interest in your landscape design by layering in these jewel-toned flowers. Add them as a facer in front of spring-blooming Decadence® Deluxe Pink Truffles False Indigo.

Ruby Chip® has the same compact, well-branched, mounded growth habit of the Lo & Behold® series from Proven Winners®. Run them as a sweet little edging plant along your full sun borders. Create a solid display by planting them two feet apart on center. Measure from the center of one to the center of the next. Repeat them anywhere you have full sun as a way to keep the eye moving through your planted spaces. Tie the whole look together with their enchanting blooms.

Add their showy charm to an integrated Cottage border, Butterfly or Pollinator Garden with caterpillar host plants. Nature Hills works so hard to grow and sell a huge catalog of flowering plants to support beneficial insects, butterflies, and pollinators! These plants are often listed on Firewise Landscaping state lists!

Your family and friends would also be thrilled with one or more as a special gift plant. Go ahead and make someone's day! Can you imagine a more perfect gift to say "Thank You" to a hard-working teacher? We also know that nurses and doctors also love these sweet, giving plants.

Full-Size Exquisite Ruby-Magenta Panicles
Natural Dwarf Butterfly Bush
Honey-Scented Fragrant Flowers
Reblooming & Long-Lasting Color!
Support Butterflies, Hummingbirds & Beneficial Pollinators
Wonderful Late-Season Nectar Resource
Cute Patio Plant, Containers, & Perfect Choice for Small Space Gardens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Provide these plentiful flowering display with at least six hours of full sun a day. Butterfly Bushes also need well-drained soil that doesn't stay soggy for long. The first year in the ground, provide a regular schedule of supplemental water. After that, they become drought tolerant. In extended drought, and when grown in containers … please give them water and good drainage. You'll protect your investment!

Feel great about this petite choice! You won't even need to deadhead the blooms...as they just keep coming on their own. Wait and prune Buddleia in early spring. At that point, simply cut your plants back to about a foot. In colder climates, these plants may die back to the ground like a Perennial. In those areas, trim all the stems back to ground level. You'll have new growth and flowers on new wood from the crown. Fertilize with a good slow-release formula for flowering plants according to the directions.

Full Sun
Well-Drained Soil
Moderate to Low Moisture Needs
Drought Resistant Once Established
Low-Maintenance Non-Invasive Cultivar
Rarely Damaged by Deer

We follow all regulations on plant materials using a state-of-the-art online tool called Plant Sentry™. Even though this is a non-invasive modern cultivar, some areas can not receive shipments of Butterfly Bush, so type in your zip code to find out.

If we can ship into your area, enjoy these dramatic cuties in your landscape this season. They are red-hot and we'll sell out of our limited inventory quickly. Order Lo & Behold® Ruby Chip® Butterfly Bush today from Proven Winners® ColorChoice® and Nature Hills Nursery!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What type of soil does the Ruby Chip® variety prefer for optimal growth?

Ruby Chip® Butterfly Bush thrives in well-draining soil and isn't particularly fussy about soil type. It adapts well to average garden conditions, whether planted in the ground or containers. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot and maintain healthy growth.

Is this considered a fast-growing or slow-growing shrub?

Lo & Behold® Ruby Chip® is a moderate-growing compact shrub that reaches mature size in 2-3 seasons. It begins blooming in its first year from mid-summer through frost, so you'll enjoy flowers quickly even as the plant establishes. Shop at Nature Hills for this reliable bloomer.

Is the Lo & Behold® Ruby Chip® resistant to deer browsing?

Butterfly bushes are generally deer resistant due to their aromatic foliage and somewhat bitter taste. The fragrant gray-green leaves of Ruby Chip® typically deter browsing. For best results, plant away from heavily trafficked deer paths and consider companion planting with other deer-resistant perennials.

What size container does this plant ship in and what's the estimated shipping time?

This butterfly bush typically ships in a 4.5" pot as a young plant. Shipping usually takes 7-10 business days depending on your location and weather conditions. Order in spring through early summer for best establishment before winter.

Does this variety require regular pruning to maintain its shape and size?

Ruby Chip® Butterfly Bush stays naturally compact and well-behaved without regular pruning. The non-invasive blooms won't create mess or require constant maintenance. Light deadheading will encourage continued blooming through frost. Shop at Nature Hills for this low-maintenance pollinator favorite.

Lo & Behold® Ruby Chip® Butterfly Bush

Buddleia davidii x 'SMNBDD'