| PSC 2620: Woody Trees and Shrub | Course Home | Week 10 |
Buddleia davidii - Butterfly Bush
Plant Viewer
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| Butterfly bush has finely serrated gray-green leaves that are lanceolate in shape and arranged oppositely on the stem. | Long panicles of blossoms form during the summer. |
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| The stem is gray or brown and exfoliates in thin strips. |
Plant Description
Buddleia davidii, or Butterfly Bush, is a medium to large woody shrub that acts like an herbacious perennial in colder climates. It grows 10-15 (only 5-12 feet in Utah) feet tall and 5-10 feet wide. It has long, arching canes that give it a fountain shape. It is a vigorous grower that has proven to be invasive in other parts of the country, so much so that the State of Oregon has placed it on its list of invasive weeds - causing a sudden supply shortage throughout the west as nurseries in Oregon have stopped growing it. It should be planted in full sun.
New stem growth is green, and looks and feels like an herbacious stem. Mature stems are a brown or gray color that exfoliates in vertical strips. In cold climates the plant often dies back to the ground each winter, and so the more mature bark is often not present. The leaf is gray-green in color on the top (very pale green beneath) and lanceolate in shape with a finely serrated margin. The underside of the leaf is pubescent, as is the short petiole.
In summer, long (4-10 inches) panicles of colorful flowers bloom that emerge on new growth. They have a fragrant smell and are very attractive to butterflies and moths, which flock to the bush throughout the bloom season. It begins to bloom in mid summer and will bloom until the first frost.
Landscape Use
This plant shines in a shrub border where it adds some summer and fall interest with its bright and showy blossoms. I recommend planting it near a window or and outdoor living space where you can enjoy the butterflies that visit the bush. It is also a good choice for a particularly hot and dry location.
Points of Interest
Butterfly Bush may begin to spread and become invasive.
Notable Cultivars
Black Knight
One of the most cold hardy varieties. The blossoms are a very dark purple color.
Pink Delight
This cultivar has a smaller and more compact form - growing 5-8 feet high and wide. It is the most popular pink blooming variety.
