Description
Buddleja speciossisima/ Buddleia speciossisima | Brazilian Butterfly Bush
*Seeds were collected late summer of 2025.
Buddleja speciossisima, which has not been given a common name and deserves one- we’ve appropriately named ‘Brazilian Butterfly Bush’. It’s a spectacular and extremely rare South American shrub native to a very restricted area of Southeastern Brazil’s high mountains, specifically the high altitudes (2,000–2,500 meters) of the Serra do Itatiaia mountains in Itatiaia National Park, where it grows in rocky grasslands. It has fuzzy, silvery-white foliage and is best known for its striking, long, tubular reddish-orange flowers with flared mouths that grow in woolly panicles, which are pollinated by hummingbirds and hawkmoths. It differs from many other American Buddleja species by having perfect (hermaphroditic) flowers and is self-fertile. Despite its tropical origins, Buddleja speciossisima is surprisingly hardy, surviving cold temperatures in places like southern UK gardens, the Pacific Northwest areas of the US, and Nothern France.
Plants can reach up to 10 ft in height, however in temperate home gardens it typically grows as a fairly low, scrubby shrub not reaching more than about 5 ft. Hardy to around 15-20° F, but has been known to survive 10° F temps for shorter periods of time.
Seeds germinate with heat, humidity, and light. Do not cover tiny seeds with soil. Seedlings start out extremely tiny and grow slowly, so the most delicate of care must be taken during the first few weeks/months. Dampening off of seedlings may occur if the environment remains too humid or wet. It is crucial that they have access to fresh air exchange. The stronger the light after they get going, the better. This is a slow growing species and is even difficult to propagate via unrooted cuttings.
We are one of the only companies in the world to currently offer these seeds.
Buddleia speciossisima is very similar in appearance to Buddleia longiflora, which has lighter orange and even longer flowers and grows in Brazil on the Serra Caparao mountain in the same region.
Type: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Mature height: 3-10 ft
Mature width: 3-7 ft
Hardiness zones: 8-11
