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Buddleja davidii 'Empire Blue' (Butterfly bush 'Empire Blue')
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2 hours care
per year
per year
4m
Max height
Max height
4m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Buddleja davidii 'Empire Blue'
Other names
Butterfly bush 'Empire Blue', Buddleia 'Empire Blue', Buddlea 'Empire Blue'
Genus
Buddleja Buddleja
Variety or Cultivar
'Empire Blue' _ 'Empire Blue' is a large deciduous shrub with arching branches, lance-shaped leaves, and panicles of scented pale-blue flowers.
Buddleia are nectar rich plants, which encourage benefical wildlife, such as ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies into the garden
Buddleja davidii 'Empire Blue' is: Deciduous
Fragrance
The flowers are sweetly fragrant.
Habit
Arching, Branching, Bushy, Irregular
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Pale-purple, Blue in Summer; Blue, Pale-purple in Autumn
Foliage
Grey-green, White in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Capsid bug , Caterpillars , Glasshouse red spider mite Capsid bug , Caterpillars , Glasshouse red spider mite
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 davidii 'Empire Blue' (Butterfly bush 'Empire Blue') will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Instant, Low Maintenance, Resistant to pollution, Wildflower
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
Full Sun, Partial Shade
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 davidii 'Empire Blue'
Other names
Butterfly bush 'Empire Blue', Buddleia 'Empire Blue', Buddlea 'Empire Blue'
Genus
Buddleja Buddleja
Variety or Cultivar
'Empire Blue' _ 'Empire Blue' is a large deciduous shrub with arching branches, lance-shaped leaves, and panicles of scented pale-blue 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
Pale-purple, Blue in Summer; Blue, Pale-purple in Autumn
Foliage
Grey-green, White in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Capsid bug , Caterpillars , Glasshouse red spider mite
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 davidii 'Empire Blue' (Butterfly bush 'Empire Blue') will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Instant, Low Maintenance, Resistant to pollution, Wildflower
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
Full Sun, Partial Shade
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
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: | Full Sun, Partial Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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