Black Knight Butterfly Bush Tree

The dark purple-violet flowers of the Black Knight Butterfly Bush Tree make this tree-form buddleia a knockout specimen. Growing to around 6 to 8 feet tall, the Buddleja davidii 'Black Knight' grows quickly and blooms from mid-summer until the fall. Gray-green foliage provides the perfect base to set off the canopy’s flowering spikes. 

The Black Knight Butterfly Bush Tree is ideal for most locations, as it is easy to care for and both deer and rabbit resistant. A deciduous shrub, it is considered cold hardy in zones 5 to 9 and may die back in a harsh winter only to reemerge with vigorous new growth in spring.  Black Knight is an ideal shrub for the back of a border or a wildlife area due to its appeal to butterflies. 

Black Knight Butterfly Bush Tree Care

The Black Knight Butterfly Bush Tree performs best in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. Water regularly for the first growing season, after which it can cope with dry spells. Plant in well-drained soil and avoid sites prone to waterlogging. The Black Knight Butterfly Bush Tree rarely requires any fertilization.  

Deadheading the spent blooms will encourage reblooming into the fall. Prune to shape and size in late winter or early spring, cutting back growth to a pair of healthy new buds. 

Black Knight Butterfly Bush Tree Spacing

The Black Knight Butterfly Bush Tree can reach a mature size of 6 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. Multiple shrubs can be planted around 4 to 5 feet apart for a well-defined canopy.