| The name botanical name sometimes causes confusion,
as both Buddleia and Buddleja are used. However, it's common name of
Butterfly bush, is universal.
Deciduous shrub, flowering from early summer, drought
tolerant, attracts butterflies and bees.
|
|
Buddlejas have a bad reputation, for they are often
seen growing on rubbish sites, out of crack in walls and basically
anywhere that stays still long enough for a Buddleja seed to settle -
and grow. Add to this the fact that many garden-grown Buddlejas are not
looked after properly, and it is not difficult to see why the group of
plants have this totally undeserved reputation. |
Forget for the moment, that Buddleja davidii types have an important role
in attracting many insects top the garden. Buddlejas have a place in any
shrub border - or alone as a specimen plant, or even as a large
container plant. The Buddleia is a very versatile plant, and other than
a regular
pruning session each spring, it requires little attention, but
perhaps a bit of room.
Most Buddlejas start flowering from mid-June dependent
upon the season (and correct pruning!) and if regularly dead-headed,
will keep flowering well into the autumn. When correctly pruned, they
will reach to 6ft (2m) each year - depending upon variety. - with long
arching canes and large flowers ranging from white, through to pink, red
and deepest blue. The spread of the shrub is similar to the height, so
room should be allowed for this spread.
Containers
Buddlejas make good container plants - a large pot and
and plenty of room. They will normally only reach half of their shrub
border size, so will be quite a spectacular patio plant, and because of
their growth habit, there will be plenty of room at the base of the
plant, to plant other colourful plants in the container.
A good choce of variety would be Buddleja Lochinch,
which has white to silver foliage and powder blue flowers, or maybe
Buddleia davidii Harlequin - a well variegated variety with deep
red/purple flowers..
They are quite drought tolerant, so admirably suited to container
planting.
(Buddleja Lochinch is not a true davidii type, but
has all of the characteristics so it is mentioned here. Purists (snobs)
may look away!)
General
Buddlejas are happiest in sunny position with well
drained soil. But, will live virtually anywhere as long as soil is not
waterlogged.
They can easily be propagated with semi-ripe cuttings
in Mid-summer, or hardwood cuttings in late autumn or winter.
Pests include capsid Bugs and caterpillars (The young
of Butterflies!)
Red
Spider mite may also be a problem in hot dry summers.
Butterflies
Butterfly bushes flower in summer - a
good
time for butterflies (and humans). The large flowers on the ends of
the arching stems, are made up of many hundreds of individual small
trumpet like flowers. These individual trumpets hold the sought after
nectar which attract butterflies and bees. It is only insects which have
a long proboscis - tongue, that can have access to the nectar.
Regularly remove the faded flower to prolong the
flowering season with a succession of new flowers.
L-r = Buddleja White Bouquet/Profusion: B. Lochinch; B d. Royal Red: Buddleia davidii Empire Blue.
Also good are >>>
Buddleja davidii Black Knight - deepest
purple
Buddleja davidii Pink Profusion - huge deep pink blooms.
|
