Plant Profile - Buddleja

Buddleja

The buddleja is commonly known as the Butterfly Bush and attracts peacocks, painted ladies and small tortoiseshells. There are around 100 species, some hardy, and some tender that flower earlier in the year under glass. 

The most commonly known is Buddleja Davidii, which some see as a weed as it grows on wasteland and can be invasive. But there are also more compact varieties that only grow to 1-1.5m tall, which means that you can see the butterflies more easily!

There are various shades of purple flowers, which are the most commonly seen, but there are also white and pink varieties ad even a yellow flowering buddleja. 

Buddlejas are relatively easy to care for and grow and flower better in sunny spots - they dislike deep shade. They also dislike winter wet so improve drainage on heavy soils. Deadhead them regularly, trimming off the flower once 20 - 50% of it has turned brown. Prune early flowering varieties after they've finished flowering. Late flowering varieties can be cut back hard in spring once the danger of frost has passed.