Saturday, 16 July 2011

Butterfly Bush

Buddleia davidii


Not introduced until 1890, but well known to cottagers from the late Victorian era onwards.  Grow in sunshine in any soil.
I have several Buddleia's in the garden ranging from pink, lilac through to dark purple, at the moment they are in full swing, together with attendant butterflies and bees.  Although they are considered a weed as they self-seed everywhere on waste ground and railway embankments, they are, in my opinion, a great addition to the garden for the wildlife they attract.  Once the flowers are over they do look a bit of a mess with all the flower racemes turning brown, but with a bit of judicial pruning they give a second showing of lesser blooms which prolong their usefulness in the garden.  Alas the season for them is all too short.  To keep the blooms lower down on the bush so as to be appreciated they must be cut hard back in spring.

Just as an afterthought, if you want to increase your stock of these lovely shrubs, just propagate by taking a hardwood cuttings in autumn, and literally just stick it into the ground.
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4 comments:

  1. Happy Homebird16 July 2011 at 09:50

    I have just one Buddleia in the garden, a dark purple one, no idea of the variety. A few years back I helped with the Butterfly Conservation Society to put a Buddleia garden together.

    Did you know that the national collection is held on the estate owned by Waitrose/John Lewis:

    http://www.longstocknursery.co.uk/buddleja-c31.html

    I never know which way to spell it Buddleia or Buddleja!?!

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  2. Anonymous16 July 2011 at 13:39

    If I had more sun, I would grow more! I have a couple that are languishing and wish for more hours of sunshine. Love your photo with the butterfly!

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  3. Diane at My Cottage Garden16 July 2011 at 19:16

    So pretty! But not for my zone though. They are just one below us and my friend has them, but covers them carefully for the winter. I cannot seem to get that done!

    I'm enjoying yours though. Cheers!

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  4. this is my patch17 July 2011 at 07:41

    Isn't it lovely to see a Red Admiral. Every garden should have a Buddleia. I must confess to mine looking rather dishevelled this year, as it wasn't cut hard back this time. Saying this it has a lot more blooms on it. x

    PS. As for my butterfly photos. Most of them will not sit still for a second. By using a longer lens, I can stand further back.

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