Home
Plants
Buddleja alternifolia

Buddleja alternifolia

Save

Butterfly bushShrub, DeciduousFamily: Buddlejaceae

Height: 4mSpread: 4m
Hardy

Attractive to wildlife

Flower colour:

Purple

Foliage colour:

Green

Position

Sun Exposure:

Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade

Aspect:

East facing, north facing, west facing

Position in Border:

Back, middle

Soil

Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Buddleja alternifolia, found wild in Chinese hedgerows, is different to the more familiar Buddleja davidii. Its branches are more slender, arching or weeping almost to the ground, with leaves appearing in early summer. Dense clusters of soft lilac-purple or pink fragrant flowers stud the full length of the previous year's stems. As with Buddleja davidii, its flowers are a magnet for butterflies and other pollinators. It can be trained against a wall or grown as a delightful weeping standard. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Grow Buddleja alternifolia in fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Its stems can become tangled unless trained – prune and organise these after flowering.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecPlantyesyesyesyesyesFlowersyesyesyesPruneyesyesyes

Buddleja ‘Alternifolia’ and wildlife

Buddleja ‘Alternifolia’ is known for attracting bees, birds, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It is a caterpillar food plant, has nectar/pollen rich flowers, provides shelter and habitat and has seeds for birds.

Is known to attract Bees

Bees

Is not known to attract Beneficial insects

Beneficial insects

Is known to attract Birds

Birds

Is known to attract Butterflies/Moths

Butterflies/Moths

Is known to attract Other pollinators

Other pollinators

Is Buddleja ‘Alternifolia’ poisonous?

Buddleja ‘Alternifolia’ has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds

Is not known to attract Cats

Cats

Is not known to attract Dogs

Dogs

Is not known to attract Horses

Horses

Is not known to attract Livestock

Livestock

Is not known to attract People

People