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Buddleja davidii Little Ruby ('Botex 006') (Butterfly Candy Series)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

butterfly bush [Little Ruby]

A compact, bushy, upright deciduous shrub with narrow, grey-green leaves which are produced on arching branches. Cone-shaped clusters of small pink-red flowers appear from midsummer

Synonyms
Buddleja davidii 'Botex 006'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Grey Silver Green
Summer Pink Red Grey Silver Green
Autumn Pink Red Grey Silver Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Scrophulariaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Buddleja can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs, occasionally trees or scrambling climbers with simple leaves and panicles of small, tubular fragrant flowers

Name status

Trade

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See buddleja cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate from softwood cuttings in summer and hardwood cuttings in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Prune annually in early spring back to a low framework, pruning group 6

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bugs, caterpillars, earwigs, figwort weevils, glasshouse red spider mite, leaf and bud eelworm, and mullein moth

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus, fungal leaf spot, and virus diseases

Get involved

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