Butterfly Candy™ 'Lil Raspberry'™ Butterfly Bush

Butterfly Candy™ 'Lil Raspberry'™ Butterfly Bush

Patent: Buddleia davidii Butterfly Candy™ Series

Why Butterfly Candy Lil' Raspberry Is Trending in 2026

• Compact 2-3 ft habit — fits foundation beds, containers, and tight borders without pruning battles
• Blooms nonstop from late spring through hard frost — one of the longest bloom windows in its class
• Proven butterfly and hummingbird magnet with raspberry-pink, nectar-rich flower spikes
• Hardy zones 5-11, drought tolerant once established, naturally deer resistant
• Non-invasive Butterfly Candy breeding — the responsible choice for pollinator gardens

What This Plant Does For You

• Transforms an ordinary sunny bed into a living butterfly habitat from mid-summer through fall
• Adds rich raspberry-pink color and sweet honey fragrance to patios, walkways, and borders
• Solves the "nothing stays compact" problem — stays 2-3 ft with one simple annual pruning
• Brings color when other summer plants fade, bridging the gap from summer into fall
• Creates a deer-resistant anchor shrub for pollinator and cottage-style garden designs

Plant Highlights

• Mature Size: 2-3 ft tall x 2-3 ft wide
• Bloom Color: Raspberry pink with sweet honey fragrance
• Bloom Season: Late spring through first frost (continuous reblooming)
• Hardiness Zones: 5-11
• Light: Full sun (6+ hours); tolerates part sun
• Water: Moderate during establishment; drought tolerant once established
• Deer Resistant: Yes | Pollinator Friendly: Yes | Pet Safe: Yes

Select your size above and add to cart — FREE shipping on select items.

Premium Features & Solutions

Choose Your Size:

• 2 Gallon ($64.99) — Best Value: Maximum impact. Our largest, most mature nursery grown specimen for instant landscape results and the most abundant first-year blooming. The choice of professional landscapers.
• 1 Gallon ($47.99) — Great Value: Nursery grown landscape-ready specimen with a developed root system and fuller branching. Strong first-season performance at a lower price point.
• Quart ($42.99) — Budget-Friendly Starter: Identical Butterfly Candy genetics at an accessible entry price. Establishes quickly and blooms in its first season. Ideal for new gardeners or filling in larger beds.

Real Garden Problems, Real Solutions:

• "Nothing attracts butterflies" — Raspberry-pink, nectar-packed spikes draw monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies, and hummingbirds from across your neighborhood.
• "My yard is too small for big shrubs" — Lil' Raspberry maxes out at 2-3 ft. Fits foundation beds, narrow borders, and large containers without overwhelming the space.
• "Deer destroy everything" — Butterfly bush foliage is naturally avoided by deer. Enjoy your blooms without the damage.
• "I need color that lasts" — Reblooms continuously into fall. Deadhead spent spikes and new blooms appear within days.
• "I don't have time for fussy plants" — Once established, requires only occasional watering and one annual spring pruning.

Smart Growing Guide

Beginner — Step by Step:

1. Site Selection: Pick a sunny spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun. Avoid low spots that hold water.
2. Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot, same depth. Place plant, backfill, and water thoroughly. No special soil amendments needed for most gardens.
3. First Season Watering: Water 2-3x per week the first month, then weekly through summer. Mulch 2-3 inches around the base to conserve moisture.
4. Annual Pruning: In early spring, cut all stems to 12-18 inches from the ground. New growth produces the blooms — this one step keeps it compact and flowering.
5. Enjoy: Butterflies typically arrive within days of first bloom. Expect visits all summer and fall.

Advanced — Optimization Tips:

• Apply slow-release 18-5-10 fertilizer in early spring for maximum bloom production
• Mix Root Booster into the planting hole for faster establishment and improved drought tolerance
• Deadhead and apply diluted liquid fertilizer mid-summer to push flowering into late fall
• Pair with Echinacea, Russian Sage, or ornamental grasses for dynamic pollinator borders
• In containers: use 18-24 inch pots with quality potting mix; fertilize every 4-6 weeks during active growth

Pro Tips for Maximum Impact

• Plant in odd numbers (3 or 5) for the most natural, landscape-designer look in borders
• Combine with contrasting Butterfly Candy colors — white or purple — for a multi-color pollinator garden
• Use as a container focal point on patios; underplant with trailing Verbena or Bacopa for a finished look
• Deadhead every 1-2 weeks to keep blooms coming nonstop through frost

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between the Quart, 1 Gallon, and 2 Gallon?
A: All three have identical Butterfly Candy genetics. The Quart is a younger starter plant at the lowest price point. The 1 Gallon is a more developed specimen with a fuller root system and stronger first-season performance. The 2 Gallon is our largest, most mature size — maximum branching, maximum root development, and the fastest path to full blooms. For the best results and biggest impact, the 2 Gallon is the top choice.

Q: How soon will butterflies visit after planting?
A: Typically within days of the first blooms opening. Monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies, and hummingbirds are common visitors throughout the season.

Q: Will it stay compact or outgrow its space?
A: Yes — the Butterfly Candy series is bred for true compact habit. One annual spring pruning keeps it reliably at 2-3 ft.

Q: How does the Fill My Box savings work?
A: Add Lil' Raspberry plants to your cart. Savings apply automatically at checkout — 15% off 2 plants, 25% off 4, 30% off 6. No code required.

Q: Can I grow this in a container?
A: Yes. Use a pot at least 16-18 inches in diameter with drainage holes and quality potting mix. Water more frequently than in-ground plants and fertilize every 4-6 weeks during active growth.

Q: Will it survive Zone 5 winters?
A: Yes. In colder zones, stems may die back in winter but vigorous new growth emerges from the roots each spring. Since it blooms on new wood, you still get full flowering. Mulch around the base for extra winter protection.

Q: Does it need deadheading to keep blooming?
A: Lil' Raspberry will rebloom without deadheading, but removing spent flower spikes encourages even more blooms and keeps the plant looking tidy.

Q: When will it bloom after planting?
A: Quart plants typically bloom within the first growing season. 1 Gallon and 2 Gallon plants often bloom within weeks of planting in spring or early summer.

Q: Is it deer resistant?
A: Yes. Deer naturally avoid butterfly bush foliage and flowers.

Q: Is it safe for pets?
A: Yes — non-toxic to dogs and cats.

Q: What states do you not ship to?
A: We do not ship to AK, HI, or PR.

Q: Can I mix and match other plants to get the Fill My Box savings?
A: The Fill My Box savings on this page apply to Lil' Raspberry. See individual product pages for savings on other varieties.

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.