Alternate Leaf Butterfly Bush Buddleja alternifolia
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- bud-LAY-yah al-ter-nih-FOH-lee-ah
- Description
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Alternate-leaf Butterfly Bush is easy to distinguish from other Buddleja's because its leaves are alternate rather than opposite. It should be planted in full sun where possible. It can be planted in partial shade but will have reduced bloom if there is not enough sun. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including dry soil or clay, but prefers loose, organic-rich soil and does not tolerate wet conditions. Its texture is medium to fine. This blooms on previous year's wood so should only be pruned lightly after flowering, no more than one-third of oldest stems.
The Fountain Butterfly Bush has a graceful, arching form and resembles a weeping willow. It can be grown as a multistemmed bush or a single trunk small tree. Buddleia alternifolia flowers on old wood. Pruning should be limited to minor shaping if needed.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Argentea'
- 'Nanho Purple'
- 'Argentea'
- 'Argentea', 'Nanho Purple'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Argentea'
- 'Nanho Purple'
- 'Argentea'
- 'Argentea', 'Nanho Purple'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Buddleja
- Species:
- alternifolia
- Family:
- Scrophulariaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- N. & S. Central China
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts bees, birds, butterflies​/​moths, and other pollinators. The flowers provide seeds for birds and it is a caterpillar food plant.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Cascading
- Multi-stemmed
- Open
- Rounded
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Dry fruit may be a littering issue.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Bright, lilac-purple flowers in dense clusters in summer. Flowers are produced on the previous season's growth so prune right after flowering. Flowers have a mild fragrance.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has alternate, simple, dull gray leaves which are 1.5-4 in. long and narrow toward the apex. They are grayish-white tomentum beneath. Leaves have yellow fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Green
- Bark Description:
- Dark brown or light green, smooth
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- This plant has lax, long, arching, pendulous stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Patio
- Riparian
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Foundation Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Rabbits
- Salt
