Chrysalis™ Cranberry Butterfly Bush

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2 Feet

Mature Spread

2 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 9

Chrysalis™ Cranberry Butterfly Bush, Buddleia hybrid ‘Balchryran’, displays a profusion of 6” long, deep cranberry-magenta-colored, fragrant flowers from late spring through summer. Its generous blooms are fragrant, attract pollinators, and stand out against gray-green foliage, creating a bold focal point in the garden. Reaching just 20 to 28 inches tall with a similar spread, this shrub offers high-impact color without overtaking your space.  

This first-year bloomer delivers additional perks, including drought tolerance once established and robust performance in full sun settings. Originating from an interspecific hybrid, it’s well-suited to container gardens, mixed borders, and mass plantings alike. The cranberry-hued flowers are prized by bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, adding a lively element to pollinator gardens. It's a very low-maintenance shrub and stays compact and rounded with little pruning. Hardy in USDA Zones 5-9, it has a high drought tolerance, resistance to deer, and resistance to downy mildew.  

Chrysalis™ Cranberry Butterfly Bush Care

Plant in full sun where it can receive six or more hours of direct light each day. Well-draining soil is essential, and incorporating organic matter at planting time can support healthy root development. Water routinely during the first growing season, transitioning to moderate watering intervals once the plant is established. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer each month during active growth promotes consistent blooms. Although it adapts to various pH levels, neutral to slightly acidic soils generally yield the best results.

Regular pruning or deadheading of spent blooms helps encourage continuous flowering. In colder regions, the plant may die back to the ground during winter and emerge again once temperatures warm in spring. Because of its compact, manageable size, it can be grown in a large container. For container culture, choose a pot with excellent drainage, and monitor moisture levels more closely.

When it’s time to shape or rejuvenate the shrub, prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cutting back to about 12 inches above ground level often works well, especially if cold temperatures have damaged stems. If grown in containers, relocating pots to a sheltered spot during harsh winters can preserve roots and ensure new growth returns.

Chrysalis™ Cranberry Butterfly Bush Spacing

Chrysalis is lovely in mass plantings as a loosely formed, open hedge for a big colorful wow factor; it also works well as a single specimen in butterfly or cottage-style gardens. Space plants 30” apart to accommodate their mature spread. When creating a single-specimen focal point, provide at least three feet of open space around the plant so its blooms can shine. In containers, select a pot with a diameter of at least 12 to 14 inches, ensuring there’s enough space for root expansion and proper drainage.