HOW TO GROW BUDDLEIA DAVIDII

How to grow Buddleia davidii

Commonly known as the 'Butterfly Bush', and for good reason, Buddleia davidii is an ornamental flowering garden plant native to Japan and the Sichuan and Hubei provinces in central China. They are grown for their nectar-rich profusion of blooms. Each flower is slender and tubular with four spreading lobes. They are arranged in plume-shaped clusters and have proven to be a particular favourite for many species of butterfly.

How to grow Buddleia davidii

It is a hardy, deciduous shrub of bushy habit and under favourable condition can grow to a height and spread of approximately 3 metres.

Despite there being approximately 180 cultivars of Buddleia davidii, its vigorous nature and ease of propagation from seed has seen it classified as an invasive species in many temperate countries. Prior to it being considered by many to be be a noxious weed, Buddleia davidii was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Award of Merit (AM) in 1898 and the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) in 1941.

Due to its invasive nature, Buddleia davidii is extremely easy to grow. The best time to plant is in October to November or from March to April. It will perform best in a moist, well-drained, loamy soil and will even tolerant of lime. A sunny position is required for effective flowering but it will tolerate a partially shaded position

Regular pruning is not required, but to maintain a manageable size cut back in March. Remove all of the previous years growth to 5-10 cm of the old wood, this will encourage strong, erect stems and large flower clusters.

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