World Plants

Buddleja davidii (Butterfly Bush)

Michael's Opinion

The Buddleia davidii group includes many cultivars each with its own merits. As a species they prefer lean soils and positive drainage, and if happy they will self-seed. I frequently have many seedlings popping up in the gravel driveway each summer, and will leave the odd one to see what happens. In severe winters the plants may experience winter dieback where the plants may fail to re-sprout in the spring. They are perennial, but if treated as an annual you will not be disappointed if they fail over the winter. That said, I have not lost one in the garden for the past six years. This is considered a invasive plant in some areas, so use with caution where cold winters may leave them unchecked.

Botanical Information

Family	Scrophulariaceae
Genus	Buddleja
Species	davidii
Synonyms	Buddleia
Category	Perennials, Woody
Type	Shrub (deciduous)
Origin	Buddleia davidii is native to central and western China and was first discovered by the French missionary and botanist Abbè Armand David in 1869, however it was not introduced into cultivation until 1904. Seed was sent to England by the famous plant collector E. H. Wilson to Veitch Nurseries. Since it is quite a hardy plant it was quick to establish, to the point that today it has become an invasive species.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone	5
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone	4 - 6a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Zone	H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)	-29 - (-23)
Temperature (°F)	-20 - (-10)
Height	5 m
Spread	5 m
Growth	Fast
Flowering Period	June, July, August, September

Description and Growing Information

General Description	A somewhat ungainly shrub that is very attractive in flower but not so when out of bloom.
ID Characteristic	Identified by their large panicles and the end of the branches.
Shape	Large unkempt shrub.
Landscape	Cottage gardens and drought resistant borders.
Propagation	Seed requires no pretreatment, cuttings collected from May to June root easily, winter hardwood cuttings can be rooted. I have noticed in my gravel drive that there are many seedlings each year that require execution.
Cultivation	Easy to grow on positive, well drained, lean soils. Should only be pruned after new growth emerges in the spring.
Pests	Occasionally aphids.
Notable Specimens	Great Flat Lode, Redruth, United Kingdom.
Habitat	Thickets on mountain slopes, limestone outcrops, forest clearing, and rocky stream banks.
Bark/Stem Description	Light beige, somewhat papery in texture, many stems usually not exceeding 10cm in diameter.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description	Naked, 2 scaled, greyish brown, pubescent.
Leaf Description	Opposite, simple, ovate-lanceolate 10-25m long, acuminate, closely serrate.
Flower Description	Perfect, usually lavender, 4 petaled, fragrant.
Colour Description	Grey green leaves appear in late spring and are retained until late autumn.
Texture Description	Medium.