Woolly Butterfly Bush
Buddleja marrubiifolia
Last reviewed: June 2026
Buddleja marrubiifolia is a drought-tolerant native Texas shrub that blooms orange flowers from March through November, attracting butterflies to xeriscape gardens.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
48"–72" H × 48"–72" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
TX
Pollinators
butterflies
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Woolly Butterfly Bush is a drought-tolerant native shrub with silvery-gray foliage and small orange or yellow flower clusters. It blooms for an exceptionally long season from spring through fall, making it a reliable color source in water-wise gardens.
Growing Woolly Butterfly Bush
Grow Woolly Butterfly Bush in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 48 to 72 inches tall and spread 48 to 72 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Woolly Butterfly Bush takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
This plant is a magnet for butterflies throughout its extended blooming period. The long flowering season provides nectar from March through November, supporting multiple generations of butterflies.
Common questions
- When does Buddleja marrubiifolia bloom?
- Woolly Butterfly Bush blooms for an exceptionally long period from March through November, producing clusters of small orange flowers that attract butterflies throughout most of the growing season.
- What growing conditions does Woolly Butterfly Bush need?
- Buddleja marrubiifolia thrives in full sun and requires very little water once established, making it an excellent choice for drought-tolerant landscaping in Texas and other arid regions.
- Where is Buddleja marrubiifolia native?
- Woolly Butterfly Bush is native to Texas and extends into northern Mexico, naturally occurring in desert scrubland and rocky hillsides in the Chihuahuan Desert region.
- Is Woolly Butterfly Bush HOA-friendly?
- Woolly Butterfly Bush takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Woolly Butterfly Bush fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.