CyberSalad: Garden Pursuits: Shrubs: Buddleia

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Buddleia

Butterfly bushes are late starters--they do not begin growth until the end of spring, after most other plants have put out new leaves. But their tiny fragrant flowers, borne on long arching branches, are worth waiting for. The orange-eyed butterfly bush Buddleia davidii, grows 3 to 8 feet tall in a single summer, and in frost-free climates can become 15 to 20 feet tall with an equal spread. It's spectacular varieties bear flower spikes up to 18 inches long that are densely packed with blossoms from midsummer until frost. The flowers of the original species are bluish purple with orange centers, but the newer varieties come in many colors. They make excellent cut flowers and will last longer if the stem ends are placed in warm water (about 100慚.) as soon as they are cut. Orange-eyed butterfly bushes have very attractive silvery gray fuzzy leaves, which vary from 4 to 8 inches in length. Since the tops of orange-eyed butterfly bushes either die or are badly injured in winter in the cold parts of the country, the plants are often set at the back of perennial borders along with plants that normally die down to the ground each year.
Butterfly bushes grow in Zones 5-10 in full sun and well-drained soil that has been liberally enriched with peat moss, leaf mold, or compost. In Zones 5-7 plant in spring to give them a full growing season to establish themselves; in Zones 8-10 butterfly bushes can be set into the ground at any time. Pruning time varies by species. The flowers of the fountain butterfly bush Buddleia alternifolia form on the previous season's growth, not on new growth, so do not prune until after the blossoms have faded; then cut the plants back to about two thirds of their original height to force the development of long new stems. The flowers of the orange-eyed butterfly bush form on the current season's growth; prune in early spring before new growth starts so that the current season's stems can produce flowers. The plants can then be cut to the ground to encourage the growth of large flower spikes, even in mild climates where no winter damage has occurred. New plants of both species can be started from softwood cutting of young growth in late spring or early summer or from semihardwood cuttings of more mature gtowth in mid- or late summer. The fountain butterfly bush can also be propagated from hardwood cuttings of dormant leafless growth in late fall or winter. In Zones 5-7 protect young plants started from cuttings in a cold frame over winter. Transplant them to the garden in spring as soon as the ground can be worked; they will grow quickly when warm weather arrives.

	'Lockinch', Elegant, multi-stemmed flowering shrub with attractive clusters of bright purple flowers. Beautiful, bright green serrated leaves. Excellent specimen, accent, or border shrub. Height: 6'; Width: 5'.
	'Petite Plum', masses of plum coloured flowers during summer. Flowering occurs over a long period from spring through to autumn. Apart from attracting beautiful butterflies, an added bonus for the flowers is their 5-6 day shelf life as a cut flower in floral arrangements.

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Site launched January 1, 2000.
Site updated September 1, 2007.