Butterfly Bush ( Buddleja davidii ) is a flowering shrub or small tree that is native to China. This species is popular as ornamental in the garden, for its colour and attractiveness to butterflies. It is hardy and fast growing; so much so that it is classed in some countries as invasive.
Buddleja davidii flowers are usually lilac or purple, however there are several other cultivars of red, pink, white and yellow. Cultivars as a rule rarely grow true to type; meaning the plants grown from the seeds will revert back to their original parent plant; which is purple. Beware buying seeds online from sellers offering other or multi coloured seeds; as this is not what will grow; other cultivated colours need to be grown by cutting. Yes, there are pictures online of the Butterfly Bush with all different colours seeming to be on one bush; however, these are several coloured bushes planted together to give this effect.
Other common names for this species are Summer Lilac and Orange Eye.
Growth
The Butterfly Bush is semi-deciduous, immediately replacing its leaves once they are dropped. It is fast growing and grows to an average height and width of 3 metres. Its branches grow in an arched, weeping way and its beautiful flower spikes are approximately 20 cm’s long and have hundreds of pretty lilac flowers with an orange centre.
Regular pruning will keep this shrub neat and tidy. Prune at least half of the last season growth in late winter to early spring to encourage new growth. Remove flower spikes as they start to fade to avoid seed dispersal and unwanted plants; flower heads don’t usually last more than 10-14 days.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Scrophulariaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-15 to 35°C / 5 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Not fussy as long as it is well draining soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
3 metres (10 feet)
WIDTH:
3 metres (10 feet)
pH:
5.5-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial, Fast growing, Semi-Deciduous
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium dependent on area, drought tolerant.
POLLINATION:
Insect & Bee Pollinated. Bisexual
MATURITY:
6 months – 2 years
GERMINATION RATES:
92%
GERMINATION TIME:
1-3 weeks
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy-Medium
SEEDS PER GRAM:
1200
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Used in traditional Chinese medicine.
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes. Not in Australia – yet! Removing flower spikes before they dry our will prevent this.
FACTS ABOUT BUDDLEJA DAVIDII
This species is classed as invasive in the United Kingdom; Malaysia; United States; Puerto Rico; New Zealand; Hawaii and Papua New Guinea. Removing flower spikes before they dry our will prevent any spread.
Buddleja davidii has been reported to grow as much as 2 meters in one year!
