Buddleja x weyeriana
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- bud-LAY-yah why-er-ee-AH-nah
- Description
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Weyer's butterfly bush is a large, multi-stemmed, broadleaf deciduous, hybrid shrub. It was produced by the artificial cross between B. davidii x B. globosa and is a member of the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). This shrub can grow from 5 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide and has an arching and spreading habit. It has fragrant, yellow or creamed colored flowers with orange centers that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. This hybrid was developed by Major William van de Weyer of Dorset, United Kingdom in 1920.
This plant prefers full sun and average, well-drained, loamy soil. It is intolerant to wet or poorly drained soils. If properly amended, it will adapt to clay soils. If full sun is not provided, the shrub can become weedy and have diminished flowering. This hybrid is not as winter hardy as other Buddlejas. It may die back to the roots in zones 5b or 6. It is best grown in a protected area and mulched well. For the best plant performance and better shape and appearance, prune the shrub back close to the ground in the late winter. Blooming occurs on both old and new wood; therefore, flowering will not be affected. Deadheading of spent flowers will encourage reblooming.
'Golden Glow' was the original hybrid (B. davidii x B. globosa) developed by Major William van de Weyer. It generally grows 4 to 6 feet tall and has an upright to spreading habit. This hybrid has stronger and more erect branches but produces smaller flowers then the cultivars of D. davidii. Its leaves are lanceolate, dark green, and its flowers are fragrant, yellowish-orange and are arranged in 4 to 6 inch long panicles, making them attractive as cut flowers. There are a number of cultivars of this hybrid. They are fertile and produce many seeds. There have been also been many back-crossed hybrids developed (meaning a hybrid repeatedly crossed with one of its parents.)
Consider this hybrid or any of its offspring for use in a butterfly garden or cottage garden. Small groupings or mass plantings in borders are also recommended.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Exhibits no serious insect or disease problems. Monitor for aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars. May be susceptible to root rot, downy mildew, or leaf spot.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Attraction' (open pollination of 'Honeycomb')
deep pink-purple flowers - 'Bicolor' (B. weyeriana 'Honeycomb' x unknown cultivar of B. davidii)
large shrub, grayish-green leaves, 10-inch long panicles of flowers that are a deep purple with bright orange accents - 'Blue Boy'
large shrub, mid-green leaves, lavender blue blooms with orangish-red center - 'Golden Glow'
large, multi-stemmed shrub, dark green leaves, deep yellow flowers tinged with lilac, mauve colored buds - 'Honeycomb' (B. davdii var. magnificia x B. globosa)
5 to 7 ft. tall, 4 to 5 ft. wide, stronger branches, yellow flowers with orange centers, globe-shaped panicles, hardy to zone 5b - 'Moonlight'
dull grayish-green leaves, soft cream colored blooms tinged with lilac, flower clusters in 3 to 9 loose balls, lilac mauve buds - 'Pink Pagoda' (B. x weyeriana 'Sungold' x B. 'Pink Delight'
medium to large shrub, upright habit, mid-green leaves, delicate pink blooms with yellow-gold center - 'Sungold'
sport of 'Golden Glow,' golden yellow flowers, strong fragrance - 'Variegata'
sport of 'Sungold,' leaves speckled with yellow, young leaves nearly completely yellow, yellow flowers
- 'Attraction' (open pollination of 'Honeycomb')
- 'Attraction' (open pollination of 'Honeycomb'), 'Bicolor' (B. weyeriana 'Honeycomb' x unknown cultivar of B. davidii), 'Blue Boy', 'Golden Glow', 'Honeycomb' (B. davdii var. magnificia x B. globosa), 'Moonlight', 'Pink Pagoda' (B. x weyeriana 'Sungold' x B. 'Pink Delight', 'Sungold', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Attraction' (open pollination of 'Honeycomb')
deep pink-purple flowers - 'Bicolor' (B. weyeriana 'Honeycomb' x unknown cultivar of B. davidii)
large shrub, grayish-green leaves, 10-inch long panicles of flowers that are a deep purple with bright orange accents - 'Blue Boy'
large shrub, mid-green leaves, lavender blue blooms with orangish-red center - 'Golden Glow'
large, multi-stemmed shrub, dark green leaves, deep yellow flowers tinged with lilac, mauve colored buds - 'Honeycomb' (B. davdii var. magnificia x B. globosa)
5 to 7 ft. tall, 4 to 5 ft. wide, stronger branches, yellow flowers with orange centers, globe-shaped panicles, hardy to zone 5b - 'Moonlight'
dull grayish-green leaves, soft cream colored blooms tinged with lilac, flower clusters in 3 to 9 loose balls, lilac mauve buds - 'Pink Pagoda' (B. x weyeriana 'Sungold' x B. 'Pink Delight'
medium to large shrub, upright habit, mid-green leaves, delicate pink blooms with yellow-gold center - 'Sungold'
sport of 'Golden Glow,' golden yellow flowers, strong fragrance - 'Variegata'
sport of 'Sungold,' leaves speckled with yellow, young leaves nearly completely yellow, yellow flowers
- 'Attraction' (open pollination of 'Honeycomb')
- 'Attraction' (open pollination of 'Honeycomb'), 'Bicolor' (B. weyeriana 'Honeycomb' x unknown cultivar of B. davidii), 'Blue Boy', 'Golden Glow', 'Honeycomb' (B. davdii var. magnificia x B. globosa), 'Moonlight', 'Pink Pagoda' (B. x weyeriana 'Sungold' x B. 'Pink Delight', 'Sungold', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Buddleja
- Family:
- Scrophulariaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees, birds, butterflies/moths, and other pollinators. It is a caterpillar food plant, provides shelter and seeds for birds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 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
- Erect
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The seeds are partially winged, like tiny commas with a slight point to the wing at one end. The seeds (excluding the wings) are much smaller than those of B. globosa and slightly smaller than those of B. davidii.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- 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
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are apricot color, pale yellow, yellowish-orange. They are irregular and loosely distributed and appear from early summer through early fall. It blooms on both old and new wood so pruning times do not affect flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Lance-shaped silvery-green to deep green leaves which may grow to 8 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
- Humidity
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Weedy
