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Buddleja davidii (Butterfly bush)
2 hours care
per year
per year
3m
Max height
Max height
5m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Buddleja davidii
Other names
Butterfly bush, Buddleia davidii, Buddlea davidii
Genus
Buddleja Buddleja
Species
B. davidii - B. davidii is a vigorous, variable, deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub with arching stems bearing lance-shaped, pointed, mid- to grey-green leaves and dense panicles of fragrant, lilac to purple flowers in summer.
Buddleja davidii is: Deciduous
Fragrance
The flowers are sweetly fragrant.
Habit
Upright, Arching
Flower
Purple, Lilac in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Capsid bug , Aphids , Caterpillars , Glasshouse red spider mite , Leaf and bud eelworms Capsid bug , Aphids , Caterpillars , Glasshouse red spider mite , Leaf and bud eelworms
Mosaic virus Mosaic virus
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 6. Deadhead faded flower panicles to encourage further blooms.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Buddleja davidii (Butterfly bush) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 5m after 5-10 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
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Buddleja davidii
Other names
Butterfly bush, Buddleia davidii, Buddlea davidii
Genus
Buddleja Buddleja
Species
B. davidii - B. davidii is a vigorous, variable, deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub with arching stems bearing lance-shaped, pointed, mid- to grey-green leaves and dense panicles of fragrant, lilac to purple flowers in summer.
Native to
China, Japan
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
The flowers are sweetly fragrant.
Habit
Upright, Arching
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Colour
Flower
Purple, Lilac in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Capsid bug , Aphids , Caterpillars , Glasshouse red spider mite , Leaf and bud eelworms
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 6. Deadhead faded flower panicles to encourage further blooms.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Buddleja davidii (Butterfly bush) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 5m after 5-10 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, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| 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
Plant with other fast-growing plants for an instant garden
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
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