Lo & Behold Ruby Chip® Butterfly Bush

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3 gallon

$48.00

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SEE HOW YOUR TREE ARRIVES

1 gallon, 6"
3 gallon, 8 to 10"
5 gallon, 10 to 12"
7 gallon, 14"
10 gallon, 15 to 17"
15 gallon, 17"
"Jumbo", 7 or 10 or 15 gallon

*Nursery gallon sizes are trade sizes and do not equal standard liquid gallons

**Pot sizes in inches refer to container width (diameter), not plant or pot height.

Please Note: Sizing can differ between plant varieties and growers. Please chat with us if you need clarification.

For more information on sizing, please see our guide.

Lo & Behold Ruby Chip® Butterfly Bush is a compact flowering shrub known for its vibrant ruby-red blooms and long flowering season. This dwarf butterfly bush attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds from summer through fall while maintaining a neat, manageable size. Its colorful blooms, pollinator value, and low-maintenance growth habit make it an excellent choice for modern landscapes and pollinator gardens.

Botanical name: Buddleia × ‘SMNBDD’
Bloom time: Summer through fall
Deciduous
Grown in the USA

SUNLIGHT:
Prefers full sun.

WATER:
Water when the top 2–3 inches of soil begin to dry. Approximately once or twice per week during establishment, then less frequently once established. Watering frequency may vary based on climate, soil type, rainfall, and establishment phase.

IDEAL CLIMATE:
Hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush thrives in sunny locations and performs beautifully in pollinator gardens, borders, foundation plantings, and containers.

PLANT DESCRIPTION & MATURE SIZE

The Lo & Behold Ruby Chip® Butterfly Bush, scientifically known as Buddleia × ‘SMNBDD’, is a compact flowering shrub prized for its vibrant ruby-red blooms, long flowering season, and exceptional pollinator appeal. This dwarf butterfly bush produces abundant flower clusters from summer through fall, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds while maintaining a tidy, landscape-friendly size. Its rich flower color and compact growth habit make it an excellent choice for borders, pollinator gardens, and containers.

GROWTH RATE & MATURE SIZE:

Moderate-growing deciduous flowering shrub. Typically reaches approximately 2–3 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide at maturity.

WATERING & SUNLIGHT

Water when the top 2–3 inches of soil begin to dry. Approximately once or twice per week during establishment, then less frequently once established. Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush is drought tolerant once mature but benefits from occasional deep watering during extended dry periods. Watering frequency may vary based on climate, soil type, rainfall, and establishment phase.

Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush grows best in full sun. At least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily is recommended for the strongest growth and most abundant flowering.

PLANT CARE & PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

PRUNING:
Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Since butterfly bushes bloom on new wood, annual pruning helps encourage vigorous growth and abundant flowering throughout the growing season.

FERTILIZING:
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring if desired to support healthy growth and flowering. Avoid fertilizing for the first 2–3 months after delivery to allow the plant to adjust and establish. Excessive fertilization may encourage foliage growth at the expense of blooms.

WINTER PROTECTION:
Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush is generally cold hardy throughout its recommended growing range. In colder climates, stems may die back during winter, but plants typically regrow from the base in spring.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Choose a planting location with full sun and well-draining soil. Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the rootball and plant so the top of the rootball sits level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with native soil, water deeply after planting, and apply mulch around the base while keeping mulch several inches away from the stems.

USDA GROW ZONE:

Zones 5-9

Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush thrives in a wide range of climates and performs especially well in sunny locations with well-draining soil. It tolerates summer heat, humidity, and seasonal drought once established. Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller landscapes, pollinator gardens, foundation plantings, and decorative containers throughout much of the United States.

Important: USDA Hardiness Zones only measure a plant's cold tolerance. They do not account for heat tolerance, humidity, rainfall, or other climate factors. Always consider your local growing conditions in addition to your USDA Zone when selecting plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush get?

Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush typically grows about 2–3 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for borders, pollinator gardens, foundation plantings, and containers.

How fast does Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush grow?

Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush is considered a moderate-growing shrub and can grow approximately 1–2 feet per year under favorable growing conditions.

Where is the best place to plant Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush?

Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. It is commonly planted in pollinator gardens, landscape borders, foundation beds, and decorative containers.

How far apart should I plant Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush?

For mature spacing and healthy airflow, plant Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bushes approximately 2–3 feet apart.

Is Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush a dwarf variety?

Yes. Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush is considered a dwarf butterfly bush, reaching approximately 2–3 feet tall and wide at maturity. Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller landscapes and container gardens.

How long does Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush bloom?

Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush typically blooms from summer through fall, providing months of colorful flowers and pollinator activity.

Can Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush grow in containers?

Yes. Its compact mature size makes it an excellent choice for patio containers, decorative planters, and small-space gardens.

Is Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush drought tolerant?

Yes. Once established, Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush is considered drought tolerant and can handle periods of dry weather better than many flowering shrubs. For the healthiest growth and best flowering performance, occasional deep watering during extended droughts is still beneficial.

Do I need to deadhead Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush?

No. Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush is self-cleaning and does not require deadheading to continue blooming. However, removing spent flower clusters can help keep the plant looking tidy and may encourage additional blooms throughout the growing season.

Why do homeowners love Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush?

Homeowners love Lo & Behold Ruby Chip Butterfly Bush for its vibrant flower color, compact size, long bloom season, pollinator appeal, and ability to provide big landscape impact in smaller spaces.

More Details

*SHIPPING DETAILS

We process and ship your order as quickly as possible, typically within 1-3 business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation with tracking information once your item(s) ship.

We have perfected packaging and shipping plants & trees! That is why we DO NOT use any third-party fulfillment like most other online retailers. Your trees go straight from our farm to your door, safely packaged by our team of seasoned professionals. Our process ensures your plants leave our facility and arrive to your door in the best condition possible!

In cases of extreme cold or hot weather, we may temporarily delay shipping to ensure the well-being of your plants. Our primary focus is on delivering healthy and thriving plants to you. Rest assured, we'll make every effort to notify you of any delays promptly.

Please allow additional ship times during inclement weather and sale periods. We do not process or ship orders on the weekend or U.S. Holidays. Simply Trees is not responsible for delays due to carriers, local disruptions, or weather.

See how we pack your plants!

Learn more about our Shipping Policy

1 YEAR GUARANTEE

At Simply Trees, we're committed to your satisfaction. If your plants arrive considerably damaged or sustained damage beyond the point of recovery, please contact us within five days at sales@simplytrees.com with clear photos of the entire plant in question for assistance. Our 1 year guarantee covers issues after planting, subject to our terms. We can't cover plants in the wrong climate or with inadequate care, but we're here to help in other situations. For a detailed understanding of our 1 year guarantee and how we ensure a fair process, click here to learn more.

SHIPPING TO CALIFORNIA? HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

All California orders require a mandatory inspection by the Texas Department of Agriculture (yep, it’s a USDA thing!). These inspections happen about once a week—typically on Tuesdays, though the day can vary. If you place an order just after an inspection, your plant may not ship for several days until the next one. Unfortunately, we’re not able to expedite this part of the process.

Also, due to USDA regulations, we’re unable to ship oak trees, citrus or fruit trees (except olive trees) to California. This rule helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases and applies to nurseries across the country.

Thanks for your patience—we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait.

What's inside?

Your order from Simply Trees is more than just a box of plants—it’s a carefully curated experience. Here’s what’s inside:

We hand-select our plants for premium-quality from top growers nationwide
Each plant is then cleaned, prepped, and pruned to remove any blemishes and encourage new growth
Expertly treated and inspected for preventative measure
The pot is wrapped in a durable plastic bag and secured with a zip tie; house plants get extra protection with a recyclable nursery bag. Some Jumbo plants may be carefully removed from their nursery pot and burlapped to protect the rootball and ensure safe transit.
Your plant is strapped into our durable double-pane boxes, secured in place with a heavy-duty zip tie to ensure safe transit
A thank you card with a QR code leads to our guide on welcoming your new plants home

We take pride in making sure every detail is just right, so you can enjoy your new greenery from the moment it arrives.

SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING, QUALITY CARE

We've perfected the art of packaging and shipping plants and trees! Unlike most online retailers, we handle everything in-house—no third-party fulfillment. Our experienced team carefully packages your plants to ensure they arrive from our farm to your door in perfect condition.