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Buddleja fallowiana

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Buddleja fallowiana var. alba
Phonetic Spelling
BUD-lee-uh fal-low-ee-AH-nuh
Description

Summer Lilac Buddleja is a deciduous woody perennial shrub in the figwort family. It is native to China and has great foliage interest with gorgeous silver leaves that contrast well with other darker green plants in the landscape. The shoots are covered in soft silvery downy hairs.  It requires protection in cold winters or it may die back to the ground.  It will usually grow back the following spring.  Prune it back hard every spring to encourage new bushy growth.   Propagate it by division in the fall or softwood cuttings in the spring.  This plant is drought and pollution tolerant and grows more slowly than B. davidii.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It can be weedy.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var. alba
    White flowers, compact form
var. alba
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#silver leaves#blue flowers#air pollution tolerant#lavender flowers#long bloom time#hairy leaves#pollinator plant#short lifespan#gray-green leaves#flowers late summer#hairy stems#butterfly friendly#nectar plant late summer#nectar plant early fall#flowers early fall#bee friendly#weed#moth friendly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var. alba
    White flowers, compact form
var. alba
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#silver leaves#blue flowers#air pollution tolerant#lavender flowers#long bloom time#hairy leaves#pollinator plant#short lifespan#gray-green leaves#flowers late summer#hairy stems#butterfly friendly#nectar plant late summer#nectar plant early fall#flowers early fall#bee friendly#weed#moth friendly#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Buddleja
    Species:
    fallowiana
    Family:
    Scrophulariaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Wildlife Value:
    Nectar from flowers attract butterflies, moths, bees, and other pollianators.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Open
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • 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 pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Small capsule, often removed because they are not attractive after bloom.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long Bloom Season
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Pale lavender-blue to white 4 petaled flowers with orange throats in panicles late summer to frost.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Ovate to elliptic gray-green opposite leaves 2"-4" long have felted white hairs
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    White
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are covered in white felt
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Patio
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Pollution
    Problems:
    Short-lived
    Weedy