Buddleja Butterfly Candy 'Little Purple'

Description and Characteristics

Buddleja davidii Butterfly Candy® 'Little Purple' is a compact, deciduous flowering shrub bred for its dwarf size, intense flower colour, and magnetic appeal to pollinators. Part of the Butterfly Candy® series, this cultivar is especially well-suited for containers, small gardens, and wildlife-friendly spaces.

‘Little Purple’ produces dense spikes of vivid purple flowers with orange throats from mid-summer to early autumn (typically July to September). These fragrant flower panicles are borne at the tips of strong stems and attract butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects throughout the blooming season.

This variety maintains a neat, bushy habit, growing to just 60–80 cm in height and spread, making it ideal for balconies, patios, and low border plantings. Despite its compact stature, it flowers profusely, bringing intense colour and scent to any sunny position.

• Dwarf Buddleja with intensely purple flower panicles

• Compact growth: 60–80 cm tall and wide

• Blooms from July through September

• Attracts butterflies and pollinators in abundance

• Ideal for pots, raised beds, and urban gardens

Growing Conditions and Maintenance

Buddleja Butterfly Candy® 'Little Purple' is low-maintenance and easy to grow, provided it receives enough sunlight and is planted in well-drained soil. Its dwarf habit also makes it ideal for low-input landscaping.

• Light Requirements:

  • Prefers full sun (at least 6 hours daily)

  • Tolerates light shade but flowers best in bright, open conditions

• Soil Preferences:

  • Thrives in moderately fertile, well-drained soil

  • Suitable for loam, sand, or chalk

  • Avoid heavy or poorly drained soils, especially in winter

• Watering Needs:

  • Water regularly during first season to establish roots

  • Once established, drought-tolerant

  • In containers, water more frequently in hot weather

• Feeding:

  • Feed in spring with a general-purpose fertiliser

  • For potted plants, feed monthly with a liquid fertiliser during the growing season

• Pruning and Maintenance:

  • Cut back hard in early spring to 20–30 cm above ground

  • This encourages vigorous new growth and better flowering

  • Remove spent flower heads to prolong bloom time

• Winter Care:

  • Hardy in Zones 5–9 (RHS H5)

  • Deciduous—loses leaves in autumn, regrows in spring

  • In colder areas, apply mulch at base to protect roots

Garden Uses, Pollinator Benefits, and Companion Plants

‘Little Purple’ is ideal for adding colour and nectar to small gardens without overwhelming the space. It’s a must-have in pollinator-friendly designs and also works well in formal or modern containers.

• Design Applications:

  • Great for containers, raised beds, low borders, and urban wildlife gardens

  • Suitable for balconies, roof terraces, or gravel gardens

  • Use in mass plantings or mixed with other Butterfly Candy® colours for a bold effect

• Companion Plants:

  • Combines well with Nepeta, Echinacea, Salvia, Coreopsis, and Lavandula

  • Works beautifully with ornamental grasses such as Pennisetum or Festuca

  • Pairs nicely with silver foliage like Artemisia or Stachys

• Pollinator Benefits:

  • Flowers are rich in nectar and fragrance, attracting bees, butterflies, and hoverflies

  • A key plant for summer pollinator support

  • Ideal for butterfly gardens and eco-friendly landscaping

• Pest and Disease Resistance:

  • Generally pest- and disease-free

  • May occasionally attract aphids or spider mites—treat early if necessary

  • Ensure good airflow and avoid overwatering

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.