Buddleja 'Miss Molly'
flowerMiss Molly is one of the best of the new sterile butterfly bushes, prized for its unusually deep, rich magenta-red flowers, about the closest a butterfly bush comes to true red. It forms a compact, rounded shrub four to five feet tall and wide, and from midsummer until frost it sends out a constant succession of tapering flower spikes that are alive with butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds drawn to the nectar and light fragrance. Just as important, Miss Molly is functionally sterile, setting less than two percent viable seed, which makes it a responsible choice in regions where the old seedy butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) has become an invasive weed. It blooms the first year, asks almost nothing, and earns its keep as a pollinator magnet.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 7 days
Bloom
~75 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
4-5 ft apart
Planting Depth
Set the root ball level with the soil surface
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Soil Type
Average, medium-moisture, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5 – 9
When to Fertilize
Lightly in early spring; avoid heavy feeding
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer or compost
Grow butterfly bush in full sun, at least six hours for the heaviest bloom, in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soil. It is not fussy about soil type and is quite drought tolerant once established, but the one thing it cannot abide is wet feet, so avoid soggy or poorly drained spots that cause root rot. It is hardy in zones 5 to 9; in the colder end (zones 5 to 6) it often dies back to the ground in winter and resprouts, behaving like a perennial. Because it blooms on new wood, prune it hard, cutting all stems back to about a foot from the ground, in late winter or early spring before growth begins, which keeps it compact and flowering heavily. Deadhead the spent spikes through summer to keep new bloom coming and to further limit any stray seed.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Direct sow
Apr 15
Projected first bloom
Jun 29
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Fine stippling and webbing in hot dry spells - rinse the foliage and keep plants from drought stress
Cluster on tender new growth and buds - rinse off with water and encourage ladybugs
Chew leaves and flowers in summer - hand-pick into soapy water in the cool morning and skip lure traps that draw in more
The main killer of butterfly bush - it rots in wet soil, so plant in well-drained ground and never let it sit in standing water
Butterfly bush makes a fine, lightly fragrant cut flower - snip the spikes in the cool morning as they open for an informal arrangement. The main job in the garden is deadheading: clipping off the faded spikes through the summer keeps the plant pushing new flowers and reduces what little seed a sterile variety sets. Save the hard pruning for late winter or early spring, since it flowers on the current season growth and a hard late-winter cut gives the bushiest, most floriferous plant.
One of the premier nectar plants for the late-summer garden - the long bloom is a magnet for butterflies (which give it its name), bees, and hummingbirds when many other flowers have faded. Note that while it feeds adult butterflies, it is not a host plant for their caterpillars, so pair it with native host plants. Non-toxic and safe around pets and children.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.