Buddleia, commonly called butterfly bush, brings long-lasting color and attract pollinators to American gardens. The Lo & Behold series from Proven Winners offers compact, repeat-blooming cultivars ideal for small spaces, containers, and mixed borders. This guide highlights five standout selections with bloom colors ranging from pink to blue-purple, plus easy-care performance across USDA zones 5–9.
| Product | Bloom Color | Size / Habit | Hardiness Zones | Bloom Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lo & Behold Purple Haze | Blue-Purple | 24–36 inches tall | 5–9 | Summer to Early Fall |
| Lo & Behold Pink Micro Chip | Pink | Compact (dwarf) | 5–9 | Summer |
| Lo & Behold Blue Chip Jr. | Blue-Purple | Compact | 5–9 | Summer |
| Lo & Behold Ruby Chip | Pink | Compact dwarf | 5–9 | Summer to Early Fall |
| Lo & Behold Blue Chip Jr. (Dwarf) | Blue-Purple | 3 inches pot; dwarf habit | 5–9 | Summer |
Lo & Behold buddleias are low-maintenance selections that offer continuous color with relatively small footprints. When choosing the right cultivar, consider bloom color, mature height, and sunlight exposure to ensure your garden enjoys a consistent display throughout the growing season.
Lo & Behold Purple Haze Butterfly Bush — 4″ Pot
Brand: Hirt’s Gardens. Features include PPAF and PBRAF, with mature height ranging from 24 to 36 inches. Blooms display a blue-purple hue and appear from summer through early fall. Suitable for hardiness zones 5–9, this cultivar thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. Its compact size makes it ideal for container plantings, foundation plantings, and pollinator-friendly borders. Consider spacing of approximately 2 to 3 feet apart in mixed borders to allow for air circulation and full development of flower clusters.
Lo & Behold Pink Micro Chip Butterfly Bush — 4″ Pot
Brand: Hirt’s Gardens. Hardy in zones 5–9 with blooms in summer and a pink flower color. The 4″ pot size supports quick establishment in containers or in-ground beds. Consider this cultivar for color accents in borders or as a compact background plant in a pollinator-friendly landscape. Full sun exposure is recommended for best blooming performance, and well-drained soil supports healthier, longer-lasting flower displays.
Lo & Behold Blue Chip Jr. Butterfly Bush — 4″ Pot
Brand: Hirt’s Gardens. Hardy in zones 5–9 and designed for full sun. Blooms occur in the summer, producing blue-purple flowers. The plant is a compact selection, well-suited for small gardens, containers, and tight spaces along walkways. Regular watering during establishment and mulching to retain soil moisture will help maintain vigorous growth and abundant flowering through the season.
Lo & Behold Ruby Chip — Butterfly Bush
Brand: Proven Winners. Features include a compact habit with Miss Molly-like pink blooms. Suitable for USDA zones 5–9, with an overall height around 2.5 feet and a width of about 2.5 feet. Blooms appear in summer through early fall. This cultivar is ideal for containers, small borders, and as a focal point in pollinator-friendly landscapes. Ensure full sun exposure and well-drained soil for best results.
Lo & Behold Blue Chip Jr. Dwarf Butterfly Bush — 3 in. Pot
Brand: Japanese Maples and Evergreens. Grows to about 1.5–2.5 feet tall and 1.5–2 feet wide at maturity. Requires full sun for best flowering and is hardy in zones 5–9. This dwarf form is ideal for container gardening, small spaces, or rock gardens where a compact, vibrant display of blue-purple flowers is desired throughout the summer months.
Buying Guide
- Site selection: Choose a sunny location (at least 6 hours of direct sun) with well-drained soil. Buddleias tolerate poor soil but will bloom best in fertile, well-drained conditions.
- Size and placement: Consider mature height and width to determine spacing. The Lo & Behold series ranges from dwarf to medium heights; plan borders, containers, or focal points accordingly.
- Bloom color and season: If you want a color progression in your garden, mix cultivars with pink, blue-purple, and other complementary hues across the season from summer through early fall.
- Maintenance tips: Prune after heavy flowering to maintain compact form and promote rebloom. Mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weed competition in hot climates.
- Hardiness and care: Most listed varieties are hardy in zones 5–9. Check your USDA zone and install in a protected, wind-sheltered area if you are at the edge of a zone.
- Watering and soil: Water deeply during establishment. Once established, these plants tolerate drought better than many garden shrubs but will perform best with consistent moisture in hot periods.
- Pollinators and landscape value: Buddleias attract butterflies and hummingbirds, enhancing ecological value in any landscape design. Pair them with nectar-rich perennials for a continuous bloom display.