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Buddleja

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
bud-LAY-yah
Description

This genus consists of 140 species in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) and is native to Asia, Africa and South America. Genus name honors the Reverend Adam Buddle, an English botanist.

They are mostly shrubs of 16 ft and under but a few are classified as trees. There are both evergreen and deciduous species with evergreen species occurring in tropical areas. Most of these are drought and poor soils tolerant and grow in full sun. The most popular one in this country is B. davidii which has naturalized here and in other parts of the world as well.

Most produce terminal panicles or cymes of small tubular fragrant flowers that generally produce plenty of nectar and pollen.

Listed below are interspecific hybrids that have been developed and are sterile, producing nector but no pollen. Please choose one of these for your butterfly garden. Choosing native shrubs is an even better choice! See suggestions to the left.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Nematodes are an occasional pest problem.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Asian Moon', Flutterby Flow® Series, Flutterby Grande® Series, Flutterby Petite® Series, Inspired Pink®, Lo & Behold® Group, 'Miss Molly', 'Miss Pearl', 'Miss Ruby', 'Miss Violet'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#shrub#nectar plant#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#well-drained soil#spreading#summer flowers#deer resistant#long bloom time#pollinator plant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#moth friendly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Asian Moon', Flutterby Flow® Series, Flutterby Grande® Series, Flutterby Petite® Series, Inspired Pink®, Lo & Behold® Group, 'Miss Molly', 'Miss Pearl', 'Miss Ruby', 'Miss Violet'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#shrub#nectar plant#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#well-drained soil#spreading#summer flowers#deer resistant#long bloom time#pollinator plant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#moth friendly#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Buddleja
    Family:
    Scrophulariaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    Attractive to bees, butterflies, hummingbird and moths.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Usually a dry capsule that splits
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers vary per species and come in various colors. Most occur in terminal clusters of small tubular flowers with 4 petals and are fragrant.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves vary per species.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green stems become woody with age
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Humidity
    Rabbits