Accession Count: 0
Common Name:
butterfly bush, summer lilac
Family Name:
Scrophulariaceae
Botanical Name:
Buddleja davidii
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Buddleja davidii is a deciduous shrub. The leaves are about 10 inches long, toothed, and dark-green to sage on the tops and white underneath (1,2). In spring the butterfly bush produces pendulous, scented flowers that form dense, showy, cone-shaped clusters (1). In the wild, the flowers are lilac to purple with orange to yellow throats. The flowers produce two-valved seed capsules that split open when ripe (2).
Compound:
Bud dav
Geographic Origin:
China
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
This Buddleja davidii is endemic to China where it can be found growing on mountain slopes, limestone outcrops, forest clearings and rocky stream banks (2). This ornamental plant has been distributed to Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii, where it has escaped and been declared as a noxious weed (2). Outside the United States, this herbaceous plant has been distributed to Australia, Fiji, Ireland, France, Norway, and the United Kingdom (3).
Cultivation Notes:
The butterfly bush requires regular watering and should be cut back severely after a full flowering, usually in spring (1, 4). It is hardy withstanding temperatures down to 28°F. This plant can be propagated from half-ripe or semi-woody side shoots (4). The butterfly bush can be susceptible to red mites if an infestation occurs a strong spray of soapy water should be applied (1).
Ethnobotany:
The Buddleja davidii is excellent in landscaping for borders, cottage gardens, rose gardens or butterfly gardens (2). This plant is ideal for a garden because it is low maintenance. For crafting this plant can be used as a dye. If the leaves, flowers, and stems are combined and then crushed a black or green dye can be produced. If the flowers are solely used an orange-gold to brown dye can be used to dye cloth (5).
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Lavender
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Invasive
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
