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Xela's Garden

Butterfly Bush [S]

Genus: Buddleja.

Species: Buddleja davidii.

Planted ? Shenstone Right Back Boundary
Cutting from Paul's parents' garden

* Skill Level: beginner

* Exposure: full sun, partial shade
* Hardiness: hardy

* Soil type: dry, well-drained/light

* Height: 3m
* Spread: 1.5m
* Time to take cuttings: November to February

Buddleja davidii is a fast-growing and undemanding shrub from China. It is ideal for a wide range of positions in the garden, providing they are sunny and the soil is well-drained. This fabulous summer-flowering shrub is guaranteed to create an impact in a sunny border. The long, heavy flowering heads transform the bush and make a stunning display for four to six weeks, .
In autumn the pointed grey-green leaves turn butter-yellow.

Pruned hard in early spring to keep plants within bounds it produces dense spikes of fragrant, dark purple flowers, which attract butterflies and other beneficial insects into the garden.

Hardiness: fully hardy

Position: full sun

Soil: fertile, well-drained soil

Rate of growth: fast-growing

Flowering period: July to September

Flower colour: dark purple

Other features: autumn colour, flowers attractive to butterflies

To propagate, take hardwood cuttings in winter.

Photos of this plant

  • Buddleiashenstonebackrightboundary26.07.08
  • Buddleiacloseupshenstonebackgarden26.07.08

Reminders for this plant

Due about 16 years ago:

Pruning

Remove all of previous year's growth to two or three buds

Due over 13 years ago:

Take cuttings

Hardwood cuttings Dec - Feb

Due about 13 years ago:

Prune

Remove all of previous year's growth to two or three buds March - May

Due about 12 years ago:

Prune

Remove all of previous year's growth to two or three buds March - May

Due over 11 years ago:

Take cuttings

Hardwood cuttings Dec - Feb

Due about 11 years ago:

Prune

Remove all of previous year's growth to two or three buds March - May