Butterfly Candy™ Lil' Lavender™ Butterfly Bush
Butterfly Candy™ Lil' Lavender™ Butterfly Bush
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Butterfly Candy™ Lil' Lavender™ Butterfly Bush
Compact, fragrant Buddleia with lavender-blue flowers from late spring to frost
Lil' Lavender™ brings calming color, sweet fragrance, and steady pollinator activity to gardens of nearly any size. This compact Butterfly Candy™ Buddleia matures at about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, making it easy to use in borders, foundation beds, pollinator gardens, and patio containers without the sprawling growth of older butterfly bushes.
Best Time to Plant: Spring or Fall
Order February–June or September–November for the strongest start. Summer and winter orders may be held until it's safe to ship.
BEST VALUE: Premium 2 Gallon — Landscape Ready
A mature, professionally grown shrub selected for faster garden impact.
The 2-gallon plant arrives with a more developed root system and fuller branching than the smaller sizes, giving you a stronger head start toward first-season flowers and a finished landscape look.
PREMIUM 1 GALLON: Strong Mid-Size Choice
Choose the 1-gallon plant for a balance of value, developed roots, and quicker visual impact than a starter plant.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY STARTER: Premium Quart
The quart plant offers the same Lil' Lavender™ genetics in a younger, well-rooted size that can establish quickly and grow with your garden.
Choose your preferred size and add Lil' Lavender™ to your garden.
FILL MY BOX & SAVE 15%
Save 15% on Butterfly Candy™ Lil' Lavender™ Butterfly Bush plants.
The discount applies automatically at checkout.
What Makes This Plant a Good Choice
- Compact growth: stays about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.
- Long bloom season: flowers from late spring through the first frost.
- Pollinator appeal: attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial bees.
- Fragrant color: lavender-blue flower spikes carry a light, sweet fragrance.
- Easy-care performance: deer resistant, heat tolerant, and drought tolerant once established.
What This Plant Does for You
- Creates a calming sweep of lavender color without taking over a small space.
- Brings butterflies and hummingbirds closer to patios, walkways, and seating areas.
- Provides months of flowers instead of a brief seasonal display.
- Adds fragrance and movement to sensory gardens and meditation spaces.
- Gives busy gardeners a durable flowering shrub with a simple annual care routine.
Plant Highlights
- Botanical group: Buddleja davidii, Butterfly Candy™ series
- Mature size: 2–3 feet tall and wide
- Bloom: Fragrant lavender-blue flower spikes
- Bloom time: Late spring through first frost
- Hardiness: USDA zones 5–11
- Light: Full sun; tolerates some part sun
- Soil: Adaptable, with best performance in well-drained soil
- Water: Moderate during establishment; drought tolerant once established
- Growth rate: Fast under good growing conditions
- Uses: Borders, containers, foundations, pollinator gardens, and small spaces
Choose the size that fits your timeline and start building a calmer, more active pollinator garden.
Premium Features & Solutions
Compact Size Without Constant Trimming
Lil' Lavender™ was bred to stay naturally compact. Its 2- to 3-foot habit fits narrow borders, smaller yards, and containers where a traditional butterfly bush would become too large.
Months of Lavender Color
Flower spikes begin in late spring and continue through summer into fall. Removing spent blooms can encourage faster rebloom and keep the plant looking tidy, but it will continue flowering with minimal intervention.
A Strong Choice for Pollinator Gardens
The nectar-rich, fragrant flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial bees. Plant it near a patio or walkway where you can enjoy the activity up close.
Choose Your Size
- Premium Quart: a younger, budget-friendly starter that is easy to plant and grow on.
- Premium 1 Gallon: a developed mid-size plant offering a balance of value and faster visual presence.
- Premium 2 Gallon: the best-value, landscape-ready choice with fuller branching and the strongest head start.
Smart Growing Guide
Beginner: Simple Step-by-Step Planting
- Choose a location receiving at least six hours of direct sun.
- Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper than the container.
- Place the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil.
- Backfill with the soil you removed and water slowly until the entire root zone is moist.
- Keep the soil evenly moist during the first growing season without leaving it waterlogged.
- Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the root zone, keeping it away from the stems.
Advanced: Optimize Growth and Bloom
- Prioritize good drainage, especially in regions with wet winters.
- Apply an appropriate slow-release fertilizer in early spring according to its label.
- Deadhead after major flower flushes to encourage faster rebloom.
- Cut stems back to about 12 to 18 inches in late winter or early spring before new growth accelerates.
- Use a container at least 16 to 18 inches wide with drainage holes for long-term patio growing.
- In colder zones, expect possible winter dieback followed by vigorous new growth from the base.
Pro Tips for Maximum Impact
- Pair lavender-blue flowers with yellow Coreopsis or Black-Eyed Susans for strong color contrast.
- Combine with white Shasta daisies for a clean, calming palette.
- Plant near seating areas where the fragrance and visiting pollinators can be enjoyed.
- Use repeated plants along a walkway to create a low, cohesive flowering border.
- Avoid consistently wet soil; drainage matters more than rich soil for long-term performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click arrow to open Answers
How large does Lil' Lavender™ get?
It matures at about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, making it suitable for small gardens, low borders, and containers.
When does it bloom?
Flowers typically begin in late spring and continue through summer into fall, often lasting until the first hard frost.
Will it attract butterflies and hummingbirds?
Yes. The fragrant, nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial bees throughout the blooming season.
Does it stay compact?
Yes. The Butterfly Candy™ series was bred for compact growth. One annual pruning helps maintain its dense 2- to 3-foot habit.
Can I grow it in a container?
Yes. Use a container at least 16 to 18 inches wide with drainage holes and expect to water more often than you would for an in-ground plant.
What is the difference between the three sizes?
The quart is a younger starter, the 1-gallon offers a balance of value and development, and the 2-gallon provides the fullest branching and strongest landscape-ready head start.
Is it deer resistant?
It is considered deer resistant, although no plant is completely deer proof when other food is scarce.
Does it need deadheading?
Deadheading is optional, but removing spent flower spikes can encourage faster rebloom and keep the plant tidy.
How should I prune it?
Cut stems back to about 12 to 18 inches in late winter or early spring before strong new growth begins.
Will it survive in zone 5?
Yes. Top growth may die back during a cold winter, but established roots can produce vigorous new flowering stems in spring. Mulch the root zone for added protection.
How does the Fill My Box offer work?
Save 15% on Butterfly Candy™ Lil' Lavender™ Butterfly Bush plants. The discount applies automatically at checkout and applies only to this featured plant.
Take Action Now
Turn a sunny space into a calmer garden filled with color and pollinator activity.
Lil' Lavender™ delivers fragrant flowers for months while staying compact enough for borders and containers.
Choose your preferred plant size while available.
Ordering & Shipping
Available sizes include premium quart, 1-gallon, and 2-gallon plants. Plant height, branching, foliage, and blooms naturally vary by size and season.
Orders generally ship within 1–3 business days. Orders placed after Wednesday at 4:00 PM through Sunday may ship the following Monday to avoid weekend delays. Shipments may be held during temperatures above 95°F or below 34°F to protect plant health. We do not service AK, HI, or PR.
Plants are packed to protect the root system and foliage during transit. Blooms may be trimmed before shipping to reduce damage and support stronger future flowering. Free shipping is included on this product.
Helpful pairing: Use the Plant Tune-Up Kit to support feeding, rooting, and even moisture after planting.
Note: The images and videos on our site are the best way to show off our products and show how good we are as growers. Depending on the season you buy, you may get a plant that is smaller or bigger than the picture shows. The plant might bloom like it does on our site, but it might not. We cut off the blooms most of the time because they don't ship well. When you buy our plants, think of them as an investment in your future garden, and enjoy the process of seeing it grow to its fullest.
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