How to Grow Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Miss ruby butterfly bush is an evergreen shrub that can reach a height of 15 feet. It has deep red flowers that bloom from June to September and attract butterflies. The leaves are dark green and the stems are red.

How to Grow Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

  • Buddleja x weyeriana 'Miss Ruby'
  • Butterfly bush
  • summer lilac
  • orange eye

Good to Know

  • The miss ruby butterfly bush is a beautiful, deciduous plant that is perfect for adding color and interest to your garden.
  • It is very easy to grow and care for, and is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions.
  • The miss ruby butterfly bush produces clusters of small, pink flowers that are very attractive to butterflies and other pollinators.
  • The flowers are followed by small, round fruits that are edible and make a delicious addition to jams and jellies.
  • The miss ruby butterfly bush is an excellent plant for attracting wildlife to your garden, as the flowers and fruits are very attractive to birds and other animals.
  • The plant can be easily propagated from seed, cuttings, or division, and will quickly become a favorite in your garden.
  • The miss ruby butterfly bush is a hardy plant that is resistant to most pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance addition to your landscape.
  • It is a fast-growing plant that can reach up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide at maturity.
  • The miss ruby butterfly bush is a beautiful plant that provides color and interest in the garden from early summer to fall.
  • It is an easy plant to grow and care for, and is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions, making it an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners alike.

Related plant:
Syringa Patula Miss Kim

Planting Process

  1. For miss ruby butterfly bush, first step is to grow from seed. To do this, purchase seed from your local nursery or online retailer.
  2. Fill a planting tray or pot with sterile potting mix and sow the seeds on the surface.
  3. Place the planting container in a warm location with bright indirect light.
  4. Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy and wait for the seeds to germinate. This can take anywhere from 1-4 weeks.
  5. Once the seedlings emerge, transplant them into individual pots filled with fresh potting mix.
  6. Water the plants regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
  7. Feed the plants monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
  8. In late spring or early summer, transplant the butterfly bush into the garden. Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil.
  9. Water the plant deeply and regularly during the growing season.
  10. Cut back the plant by half in late fall to encourage new growth in the spring.

Related plant:
Miss Kim Lilac Bush

Soil Condition

About soil , the best condition for the growth of butterfly bush is well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. The bush does not tolerate soggy conditions, so it is important to make sure that the soil does not stay wet for extended periods of time. If the soil is too sandy, the bush will not be able to retain enough moisture. If the soil is too clay-like, it will not drain well enough and the roots of the bush will rot.

Light requirement

So, like the other butterfly bushes, the Miss Ruby variety needs full sun to thrive. It will tolerate some shade, but won't bloom as profusely in shadier spots. This bush is heat-tolerant and drought-resistant once it's established, so it's a good choice for sunny, hot locations.

Good Temperature

The temperature conditions are perfect for the growth of the miss ruby butterfly bush. The bush requires warm temperatures and ample sunlight to grow properly. The miss ruby butterfly bush is a beautiful, flowering plant that is native to the southern United States. The bush produces clusters of pink flowers that attract butterflies and bees. The miss ruby butterfly bush is a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and conditions.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40% and 60%. If the air is too dry, the leaves may become crispy and the plant may drop its flowers. If the air is too humid, the plant may develop fungal diseases.

The Fertilizer

Mentioning fertilizer, this type of plant doesn't need a lot of it to survive. In fact, too much fertilizer can actually be harmful to a butterfly bush. If you do decide to fertilize, use a low-nitrogen fertilizer and apply it in early spring before new growth appears. As for watering, butterfly bushes are quite drought tolerant once they're established. However, young plants will need to be watered regularly until they're fully rooted in.

Light requirement

Pruning a Ruby Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii) is a critical step in maintaining its shape and preventing it from becoming overgrown. The best time to prune is late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Cut back the previous year's growth to encourage new growth and remove any dead or damaged branches.

About Propagating

Propagation is easy with stem cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. Cuttings should be 4-6 inches long and taken from new growth. Stick the cuttings in moist potting soil and keep them watered. New plants should sprout within a few weeks.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is between 12 and 24 inches per year. Some of the more common varieties can grow as tall as 36 inches in a single season. However, dwarf varieties of this plant are available that only grow to 8 or 10 inches in height.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are that it is susceptible to powdery mildew and leaf spot. If these problems are not controlled, they can cause the leaves to turn yellow and eventually drop off.

Basics of Growing

  • Do not forget to water your plant regularly. Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush requires consistent moisture, so make sure to water it regularly, especially during warm weather.
  • Place your plant in a location that receives full sun. Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush thrives in full sun and will produce more flowers if it is given at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
  • Fertilize your plant every two weeks during the growing season. Use a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus, which will encourage abundant blooming.
  • Prune your plant regularly to keep it compact and encourage new growth. Miss Ruby Butterfly Bush can be pruned back hard in late winter or early spring, which will encourage fresh new growth and lots of flowers.
  • Deadhead spent flowers regularly to keep your plant looking tidy and to encourage continuous blooming.
  • Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and treat them immediately if you see any signs. Common pests that affect Miss Ruby

Related Plants

  • Buddleja americana or American butterfly bush
  • Buddleja asiatica or Asian butterfly bush
  • Buddleja crispa or crisp butterfly bush
  • Buddleja davidii or David's butterfly bush
  • Buddleja fallowiana or fallow butterfly bush
  • Buddleja globosa or globose butterfly bush
  • Buddleja madagascariensis or Madagascariensis butterfly bush
  • Buddleja marrubiifolia or marrubiifolia butterfly bush
  • Buddleja nanhoensis or Nanhoensis butterfly bush
  • Buddleja weyeriana or Weyer's butterfly bush

Source:
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia (Buddleja) davidii) - uaex.uada.edu
Butterfly Bush | Mississippi State University Extension Service
Butterfly Bush - University of Florida, Institute of Food and ...

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category