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Harlequin Butterfly Bush Buddleja davidii 'Harlequin'

Phonetic Spelling
bud-LAY-yah dah-VID-ee-eye
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

The 'Harlequin' butterfly bush performs best in moist, well-drained soils in partial to full sun. Wet, poorly drained sites should be avoided as too much water in the soil can lead to root rot.  It has average water requirements and is drought tolerant once established. It is tolerant of most soil types but clay soil should be amended with compost.

Buddleja davidii  'Harlequin' is a variegated sport of Buddleja davidii  'Royal Red'. As with any sport (spontaneous mutation), the plant may revert to the original green foliage if stressed. Care should be taken to remove un-variegated branches to maintain the desired appearance. It dies back to the ground in colder regions and dead branches will need to be pruned out when new growth is evident in the spring. As it blooms on new wood, spring pruning to about a foot above ground is also recommended to maintain the desired shape, reduce twigginess, and produce larger flowers.

'Harlequin' may be attacked by capsid bugs, caterpillars, and spider mites but is generally disease-free.

 

More information on Buddleja davidii.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#arching#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#shrub#purple flowers#red flowers#nectar plant#rabbit resistant#upright form#air pollution tolerant#fast growing#spreading#summer flowers#deer resistant#variegated#border back#humidity tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#perennial#hedge#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#arching#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#shrub#purple flowers#red flowers#nectar plant#rabbit resistant#upright form#air pollution tolerant#fast growing#spreading#summer flowers#deer resistant#variegated#border back#humidity tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#perennial#hedge#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Buddleja
    Species:
    davidii
    Family:
    Scrophulariaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    It attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Fragrance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    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:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Produces seeds prolifically, deadhead to reduce seed production.
  • 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:
    Cup
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    This plant has reddish-purple, fragrant flowers in summer. The panicles are 6-8" in length.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Green
    Variegated
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Insignificant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    This plant has opposite, simple, green leaves with irregular, creamy-white margins. The leaves are long and pointed, soft green above and with white hairs on the underside.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Security
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Heat
    Pollution
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Invasive Species
    Weedy