Buddleja davidii 'Attraction'
Common Name(s):
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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'Attraction' is a cultivar shrub in the China native butterfly bush in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). Genus name honors the Reverend Adam Buddle, an English botanist. Specific epithet honors Pere Armand David, a French naturalist.
This shrub grows 4-6 feet tall and wide and prefers full sun in average moist well-drained soils. In part sun conditions it becomes weedy with diminished flowering. 'Attraction' will naturalize through wind dispersal of seed, particularly in warmer areas where it does not die back to the ground in winter. Deadhead to extend the blooming season and remove flower clusters before seed disperses. 'Attraction' blooms on new wood, the old canes should be pruned to the ground in late winter in warmer areas.
This plant has incredibly fragrant, bright reddish-purple to magenta-colored blooms which are highly attractive to pollinators as the name suggests.
It is considered invasive in some states. Choosing a sterile cultivar is more desirable if you want to plant a butterfly bush. Please see alternative plants to the left. There are many shrubs and perennials that are more beneficial to pollinators than butterfly bushes.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Nematodes can be troublesome in the South.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Buddleja
- Species:
- davidii
- Family:
- Scrophulariaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Wildlife Value:
- Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, other nectar-loving insects, and hummingbirds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Dense
- Erect
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 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:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The small, upright, ovate pods are dark brown; two-valved seed capsules split open when ripe, releasing tiny seeds that are distributed by the wind.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Velvety
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Denticulate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are sage green above with fine white hairs on the lower leaf surface.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
- Humidity
- Pollution
- Salt
- Urban Conditions
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Weedy