- Botanical name: Buddleja davidii
- Common name: Butterfly bush
- Family: Buddlejaceae
- Plant Type: Shrub, Deciduous
Purple
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
- Prefers rich soil
Buddleja davidii is a fast-growing and undemanding shrub, native to China. It’s ideal for a growing in wide range of situations, providing they are sunny and the soil is well-drained. The long, heavy flowering heads make a stunning late-summer display for four to six weeks, attracting clouds of butterflies and other insects.
For best results grow Buddleja davidii in well-drained soil in full sun. Prune hard in late-spring to keep plants within bounds and delay flowering to coincide with the peak butterfly period in August. Propagate by taking hardwood cuttings in winter.
How to grow Buddleja davidii
-
Plant size
3m height
1.5m spread
-
Aspect
North facing, south facing, east facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle, back
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do Prune in March |
A
Do Prune in April |
M
Do Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Buddleja davidii and wildlife
Buddleja davidii 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.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Attractive to Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Buddleja davidii poisonous?
Buddleja davidii has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Buddleja davidii
