About

Buddleja colvilei 'Kewensis' is a semi-evergreen shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 6 meters. It features dark green, lanceolate leaves. In early summer, it produces large, tubular flowers that are predominantly rich red with white throats, which appear in drooping clusters.

About the genus

Buddleja comprises evergreen and deciduous shrubs, and in some cases, it can also be found as small trees or scrambling climbers. The foliage consists of simple leaves, and the plants produce clusters of small, tubular flowers that emit a pleasant fragrance.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H4

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs, Trees
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Height
4-8 metres
Spread
4-8 metres
Time to full height
10-20 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants

Care notes

Cultivation
Needs a sunny, sheltered spot with excellent drainage; in areas prone to winter wet, it may be best grown in containers and overwintered in a cool greenhouse. See buddleja cultivation for more detailed advice
Pruning
Pruning group 2, or Pruning group 13 for wall-trained plants
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bugs, caterpillars, earwigs, figwort weevils, glasshouse red spider mite, leaf and bud eelworm, and mullein moth
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to honey fungus, fungal leaf spot, and virus diseases