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Buddleja davidii

Image of Buddleja davidii

Hahira Nursery

Family

Loganiaceae

Botanical Name

Buddleja davidii

Plant Common Name

Butterflybush, Orange-eye Butterflybush

General Description

Grown for its beautiful clusters of elongated flowers, butterflybush is a tough medium-sized shrub with an upright to arching habit. Originating from China and Japan, it has green to gray-green leaves and produces large clusters of lilac-colored flowers at the ends of its branches. These appear from midsummer to frost, but will continue to bloom with greater regularity if spent flowers are removed. In climates with mild winters plants may be semi-evergreen.

There are many cultivars of butterflybush that vary in height and offer flower colors in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. Some particularly fine selections are the dwarf ‘Nanho Blue’, which has pale lilac flowers, and the vigorous white-flowered ‘White Profusion.’

Butterflybush grows best in full sun and can tolerate a wide range of well-drained soils. Once established, it is quite drought tolerant and requires little maintenance aside from regular pruning. Severe hard pruning each year will keep overall size more compact.

This is the best shrub for attracting clouds of butterflies. The only setback to Buddleja davidii is its tendency to self-sow in the garden and beyond. In fact, in many regions this is considered an invasive species.

Enjoy butterflybush in sunny mixed borders and foundation plantings.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 2

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    5'-10' / 1.5m - 3.0m (8)

  • Width

    4'-8' / 1.2m - 2.4m (5)

  • Bloom Time

    Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall

  • Native To

    China, Japan

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Pollution, Drought, Salt, Soil Compaction

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant

  • Habit

    Arching/Fountain-shaped

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Lavender, Blue Violet

  • Fruit Color

    Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Light Green, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Light Green, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Light Green, Gray Green, Yellow Green

  • Bark Color

    Green, Brown, Sandy Brown, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Exfoliating

  • Usage

    Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes