What zone are you in? Did it get froze in the cold we had this year?
I would just cut it back to about 6 inches or so. It should take right off and grow good then.
They are very showy I think they look better as a specimen out in the open.

Zone 9b. We got hit pretty hard by the frost but I don't recall the Buddleia getting damaged. The soil is pretty moist so I am thinking there is poor drainage there. I will cut it back this weekend and see if that helps.

How long did it take for all the damage to happen. Some of mine that got frosted didn't show for a few weeks and some showed it right away.
You could cut it back by about 6 inches and check if dead or not and then cut more if dead and keep doing that until you hit live growth.

If I remember correctly the damage didn't start appearing until at least a few weeks to a month after the frost was over.

It looks like frost damage to me, and you do have some new life at the base. It looks like my dead salvia.
I know in the colder states they cut them back in late fall to about 6-8 inches. If they didn't I think they would look like yours. The plant can take the cold, but here they are just not used to it I think.

Hey, Im in zone 9, and the same exact thing happened to mine. It was that cold we had for a couple of days in january i believe. It hit like 32 or something for 2 days. That did it for me. I cut it down to about 10 inches, but there is no green or new growth on it. Im getting a little worried that perhaps the cold killed it. I was at a few nurseries and saw that they were putting out growth everywhere. I have the Harlequin Davidii species. I am anxiously waiting for it to grow 'somewhing' for a few weeks, if not i might just replace it.

I don't think you have a problem. If you are past the danger of another frost, trim away some of the dead stuff, where there is no growth, and stand back. Buddleia sometimes go dormant in winter, but come back with a vengeance. It is traditional to hard prune them every year and they come back bigger and denser than ever. I had one in very moist soil, but not standing water, that got full sun and did very well.Is it getting enough sun exposure?

Butterfly bush is hardy to zone 4, so the cold here in warmer zones can't kill it. They are very drought tolerant so make sure the drainage is good and that they are in FULL SUN. Aside from that, they are easy to grow. They should be cut back hard in late winter or early spring.

I live in dallas,tx(zone 8).I just planted 2 butterfly bushes in a big flower bed that gets sun from sunrise till 4pm.The flower bed was covered with a thick plastic covering(to try and kill trumpet vine ),and heavely mulched.
B/c of droubt,we only water twice a week.Is that enough?And is there any tips?Or am I in good shape? I'm new!:)

If they're new plantings, you should be able to tell when they need water - they will wilt a bit to warn you, but they won't just die suddenly. If you water deeply, that should be plenty for them, especially with the mulch and plastic. Hard to judge how much is too much, but try not to OVER water, either. :)

I deeply water my established Buddleja every 2 weeks during our dry months.

Brenda

I also noticed that that area its in is not full sun, you can see the shade from the fence... and not to mention the house. I know they need full sun.

My harlequin davidii is officially dead. Oh well, tried looking for it and cant seem to find it anymore at various nurseries.

Buena Creek Gardens usually carries a good assortment of Buddleia, and their spring sale is this coming weekend. You are welcome to a cutting of my Harlequin as well.

Sad to see that Steve and Donna are ready to retire - hopefully someone will take over their amazing nursery and botanical gardens.
=^,,^=

Here is a link that might be useful: Buena Creek Gardens

slave2thefur, Buena Creek gardens is about 80 miles from me. But perhaps I might take a drive there this weekend for the sale. Thanks for the info... I think we are nearing the end of the planting season really soon, so I better stock up! I'll see if my daughter wants to tag along.