Summer Lilac Buddleja Buddleja fallowiana
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
- var. alba
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- var. alba
White flowers, compact form
- var. alba
- var. alba
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Small capsule, often removed because they are not attractive after bloom.
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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.
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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
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- White
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are covered in white felt
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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
