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Buddleja alternifolia (Alternate-leaved butterfly bush)
2 hours care
per year
per year
4m
Max height
Max height
4m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Buddleja alternifolia
Other names
Alternate-leaved butterfly bush, Buddleia alternifolia, Buddlea alternifolia
Genus
Buddleja Buddleja
Species
B. alternifolia - B. alternifolia is a large and fast-growing deciduous shrub, with arching branches with grey-green leaves and panicles of sweetly scented lilac-purple flowers.
Buddleia are nectar rich plants, which encourage benefical wildlife, such as ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies into the garden
Buddleja alternifolia is: Deciduous
Fragrance
The flowers are sweetly fragrant.
Habit
Arching, Branching, Bushy, Irregular
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Purple, Blue in Summer
Foliage
White, Grey-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Capsid bug , Caterpillars Capsid bug , Caterpillars
Mosaic virus Mosaic virus
General care
Pruning
The panicles turn brown, so deadhead as they fade to improve appearance.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Buddleja alternifolia (Alternate-leaved butterfly bush) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Resistant to pollution, Wildflower, Instant
Cultivation
Tolerates many situations, but grows best in a sunny, well-drained situation.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Plant with other fast-growing plants for an instant garden
Botanical name
Buddleja alternifolia
Other names
Alternate-leaved butterfly bush, Buddleia alternifolia, Buddlea alternifolia
Genus
Buddleja Buddleja
Species
B. alternifolia - B. alternifolia is a large and fast-growing deciduous shrub, with arching branches with grey-green leaves and panicles of sweetly scented lilac-purple flowers.
Buddleia are nectar rich plants, which encourage benefical wildlife, such as ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies into the garden
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
The flowers are sweetly fragrant.
Habit
Arching, Branching, Bushy, Irregular
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Purple, Blue in Summer
Foliage
White, Grey-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
The panicles turn brown, so deadhead as they fade to improve appearance.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Buddleja alternifolia (Alternate-leaved butterfly bush) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Resistant to pollution, Wildflower, Instant
Cultivation
Tolerates many situations, but grows best in a sunny, well-drained situation.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
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| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
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Designed by garden designer Helen Elks-Smith MSGD. This project provided us with the exciting opportunity to design a garden overlooking a natural harbour. We were inspired by the curvilinear… read more
Designed by garden designer Helen Elks-Smith MSGD. Featured on the front cover of the Garden Design Journal. read more
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What shape to encourage for newly planted Buddlia alternifolia
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