Buddleia Buddleja (davidii) a Popular Garden shrub for butterflies
Probably the most popular of all the butterfly attracting plants & shrubs, there are many varieties and colours of buddleia, the most common species being Buddleia (davidii) which was first introduced to Britain in the 1890s from central China, a hardy shrub with long woody stems and long spear shape narrow leaves.
Tolerant to many climates and most soil types, and having few pests or diseases that effect growth, uncultivated species of buddleia can often be seen on old waste ground, factory sites and other disturbed areas, as its seeds easily distributed by wind and rain.
Popular Buddleia Varieties
Cultivated species of buddleia (butterfly bush) are now available, in many different colours which flower longer, providing a great nectar source for Butterflies, Bees and other insects from June to December.
Although most varieties are quite vigorous growing in late spring they are far less evasive than the original b.(davidii) and would probably be more suitable for smaller gardens.
Known for providing a wonderful spray of colour and fragrance during the summer months, Buddleia is probably more widely known for attracting, large numbers of butterflies sometimes up to 8 or 9 different species, butterflies like the :- Red Admiral, Peacock, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Comma, Large White, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell and Meadow Brown.Buddleia can also tolerate being grown in large pots and patio containers, grow in any fertile well drained soil in full sun, ideal for a display or if space is a problem.
Buddleja Buzz
Buddleja Buzz colours, Buddleja ‘Buzz™ Sky Blue’, Buddleja ‘Buzz™ Magenta’, Buddleja ‘Buzz™ Ivory’
The world’s first patio buddleia!, and a true dwarf. Perfectly proportioned and cultivated specifically with patio pots and small gardens in mind, by Thompson & Morgan. These easy to grow and problem-free, plants, are loved by bees and butterflies, carry a RHS perfect for pollinators logo and will not take over the garden.
- Buddleja ‘Buzz® Magenta’
- Buddleja ‘Buzz® Ivory’
- Buddleja ‘Buzz™ Sky Blue’
- Buddleja Buzz™ Indigo’
- Buddleja ‘Buzz™ Candy Pink’
For more information and availability Click Here to visit Thompson & Morgan
Buddleja x alternifolia ‘Unique’ (*New*)
A long-flowering Buddleja that’s compact and bushy
Buddleja x alternifolia ‘Unique’ is a new variety of Butterfly Bush that is neat and extremely long-flowering, with fragrant, lilac/purple flowers and a Compact, bushy habit. This fragrant Buddleja is hardy and easy to maintain and will flower and produce nectar for insects from July through to October its sterile flowers mean this Buddleja will Not seed its self around the Garden . It is an ideal shrub for growing in a border, wildlife garden or a large patio container
- Type: Hardy deciduous shrub
- Colour: lilac/purple flowers
- Habit: Nectar for Insects, Compact, Will Not seed its self around the Garden
- Flowering: July, October
- Planting Position: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil Type: Any Well Drained or containers (for containers use John Innes No3) .
- Ideal For: Wildlife garden, Cottage garden, Low Maintenance Garden
Buddleja x alternifolia ‘Unique’ is available in a large 3.6 litre pot from Thompson & Morgan Visit Here
Buddleja davidii ‘White Profusion’
Buddleja davidii ‘White Profusion’ elegant nectar rich butterfly bush
Buddleia White ‘Profusion’, with it’s long white elegant plumes of fragrant nectar rich flowers make it, the classic white buddleia bush. More refined than other large buddleja’s with a nice bushy habit, it also holds an RHS AGM. It possibly doesn’t need to be said that it’s a great shrub for attracting butterflies, moths, bees and other pollinating insects into the garden.
- Type: Hardy shrub
- Colour: White
- Flowering: July to September
- Planting Position: Full sun to partial shade.
- Growing and Aftercare: Easy
- Soil Type: Any well drained.
- Ideal For: Wildlife garden, Cottage garden, Scented Gardens
Available in a large 3.5 litre pot Find it Here at Thompson & Morgan
Buddleja ‘Black Knight’
Buddleja davidii ‘Black Knight’
Buddleja ‘Black Knight’ is possibly the most popular and well known of all the larger varieties of Butterfly bush. Grown in the Garden for it’s fragrant deep, indigo-blue flowers, ‘Black Knight’ is low maintenance, drought resistant and will grow well even in poorest soils, year after year.
- Type: Hardy shrub
- Colour: Deep, Indigo-Blue
- Flowering:July, August, September
- Planting Position: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil Type: Any Well Drained.
- Height and Spread: 2.5m (8.2″).
- Ideal For: Wildlife garden, Cottage or Low maintenance garden.
Available in 1lr and 3.5ltr potted. For more information visit Thompson & Morgan Here
Buddleia 'Sungold'
Buddleia sungold
Buddleia weyeriana (Sungold) produces continuous golden yellow flower spikes from June well into late November early December, attracting butterflies bees and many other pollinating insects, with little no dead heading (from experience), fast growing and non invasive. RHS Awarded
- Type: Hardy shrub
- Colour: Golden Yellow
- Flowering: July to October
- Planting Position: Full sun to partial shade
- Growing and Aftercare: Easy
- Soil Type: Any well drained
The flower spikes of the weyeriana (sungold) are unique from other buddleia variates, made up from a number of ball shaped clusters of flowers, they merge close together when in full bloom, to create the full flower spike.
Available as established plants in a 9cm Pot More information at "You Garden"
TIP: Grow Buddleja plants in patio containers just use a quality soil based compost.
Dwarf Buddleia Chip
Dwarf Chip buddleias just 2ft tall
Small and compact Chip Buddleias are sweet scented, look stunning and make perfect plants for patio pots or containers. Their fragrant sweet scented blooms are just as attractive to Butterflies and other nectar loving insects, as the much larger varieties of Buddleia, with the advantages of low maintenance, a compact growing height of just 2ft tall and will not self seed around the garden.
Available in 3 coloured varieties
- Buddleia 'Blue Chip'
- Buddleia 'Red Chip'
- Buddleia 'White Chip'
Buddleja davidii 'White Ball' (*New*)
Buddleja davidii 'White Ball'
Buddleja davidii 'White Ball' is a fast growing butterfly bush, with long arching stems tipped with plumes of tiny white flowers. This fragrant buddleja is hardy and easy to grow, making it ideal for growing in a wildlife garden or in a large patio container
- Type: Hardy shrub
- Colour: White flowers
- Flowering: July, August, September
- Planting Position: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil Type: Any Well Drained.
- Height and Spread: 200cm (79").
- Ideal For: Wildlife garden, Cottage garden, Large containers, Back of Borders
Buddleja davidii 'White Ball' is Available in a large 3.5 litre pot from Thompson & Morgan Visit Here
Buddleja globosa - Orange Ball Tree Buddleia
Buddleja globosa - yellow ball Buddleia
With golden lemony yellow-orange globe-shaped flowers, Buddleja globosa or "orange ball tree" buddleia, is easy to grow and is an ideal shrub for a wildlife garden, cottage or low maintenance garden. Slower growing than its davidii cousins it is also non-evasive.
- Type: Hardy shrub
- Colour: Golden Yellow
- Flowering: May to June
- Planting Position: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil Type: Any well drained.
- Ideal For: Wildlife garden, Cottage or Low maintenance garden.
Buddleja 'Flower Power'
Buddleja Bi-colour
The Amazing colours of Buddleja 'Flower Power' change from deepest violet to rich butterscotch yellow make this quite an unusual buddleia. The deep colours and scented blooms are certain to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects. A Height and spread of 200cm (79") also makes this buddleia perfect for small gardens.
- Type: Hardy
- Colour:: Bi-Colour.
- Flowering: July, August, September.
- Planting Position: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil Type: Any well drained.
- Height:: 200cm (79").
- Great for: wildlife gardens, low maintenance garden
Pruning for more Flowers
Buddleia many popular varieties
All species Buddleia, benefit from pruning off the faded flower heads during the summer months, to force a second crop of flowers.
Hard pruning in late winter (Cutting back at least two thirds of the bush) encourages plenty of new growth for the coming year, other than this buddleia requires very little attention.
If you would like to know more about How to prune and shape Buddleia - Click Here to easy to follow Guide.
Buddleia from cuttings or seeds
Buddleia flower gone seed
Buddleia is probably one of the easiest garden shrubs to grow from either cuttings or from seed, and it is possible for even the most inexperienced gardener to have flowering shrubs within the first year of planting.
The most popular method of propagation of buddleja or buddleia, is from cuttings, often taken from a mature shrubs in late August into September, this maybe because sometimes collecting the small seeds can prove to be a little more tricky, so buying a packet of seeds should not be overlooked, they are cheaply available and have the advantage of coming in mixed varieties. Click Here to View Buddleja davidii (Mixed) seeds at Thompson & Morgan.