Overview
Uses: Pollinator gardens, mixed borders, specimen plantings, and sunny foundation beds.
Benefits: Large, fragrant flower spikes in a purple so deep they read nearly black, from summer until frost. A mid-size, well-behaved habit keeps it in bounds, and it shrugs off heat and drought once established.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–10
Sun: Full Sun
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Rounded — mid-size and tidy.
Bloom Color: Deep Purple, nearly Black
Foliage Color: Green
Mature Height: 4–6 feet
Mature Width: 3–5 feet
Bloom Season: Summer to frost
Growth Rate: Fast
Summary
A butterfly bush in the darkest purple yet.
Darkest Night® carries long, full flower spikes in a purple so deep it reads nearly black in many lights. The color is dramatic on its own and even more striking beside silver foliage, white flowers, or chartreuse leaves, which make the dark spikes stand out.
Flowers begin in summer and keep coming until frost, held upright and slightly outward on the plant where you can see them. Each spike carries a sweet fragrance, and butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds work them all season.
The plant is mid-size and orderly for a butterfly bush, growing about four to six feet tall and three to five feet wide. It is big enough to anchor the middle of a sunny border without sprawling over paths, and once established it handles heat and dry spells well.
Care
Darkest Night® Butterfly Bush Care
Plant in full sun, at least six hours of direct light a day. Less sun means fewer flowers and weaker stems.
Butterfly bushes need well-drained soil and dislike sitting wet, especially in winter. In clay or slow-draining ground, plant slightly high or in a raised bed. Average soil is fine; rich soil is not needed.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season. Once established, it is drought tolerant and usually needs water only during long dry spells.
Feeding needs are light. One application of a slow release fertilizer in spring is plenty, and heavy feeding produces leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
Do not cut back in fall. Wait until spring, when new growth appears along the stems, then cut back to just above that growth and remove any dead wood. Leaving the stems through winter improves survival in colder zones. Spent flower spikes can be trimmed off to keep the plant tidy, though it continues blooming without deadheading.
Size
What Size is the Darkest Night® Butterfly Bush for Sale Online?
Our Darkest Night® Butterfly Bush ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants ship dormant or near dormant in the off-season, so they may arrive with few or no leaves. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Darkest Night® Butterfly Bush Grow?
Expect about 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide at maturity, in an upright, rounded shape. Space plants about 4 to 5 feet apart.
Additional Information
What is the botanical name of Darkest Night® Butterfly Bush?
The botanical name is Buddleia Darkest Night® ‘SMNBDMO’. It is a Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering Shrub selected for its nearly black flowers and mid-size habit.
What are some common names for this plant?
It is most often called butterfly bush, and is also known as summer lilac.
How dark are the flowers?
The flowers are a very deep purple. In bright sun they show their purple tones, and in softer light and from a distance they read close to black. Browse more Butterfly Bushes.
Will deer eat it?
Deer usually leave butterfly bushes alone, which makes it a good choice for sunny beds where deer browse other shrubs. See our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens for more options.
