About

Buddleja davidii is a vigorous deciduous shrub that can reach heights of up to 3 meters. It features long, arching stems and narrow, lanceolate leaves that are either green or grey-green, measuring as much as 25 centimeters in length. From summer through autumn, this plant produces dense clusters of small, aromatic flowers that can exceed 30 centimeters in length, appearing in a range of purple hues.

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, Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H6

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
2.5-4 metres
Spread
4-8 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Native to
China
Fragrance
Flower

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See buddleja cultivation for more detailed advice
Pruning
Pruning group 6
Propagation
Propagate semi-ripe cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn
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