About

Buddleja davidii 'Orpheus' is a deciduous shrub that can reach heights of up to 2 meters. It features a compact, upright growth form and narrow, lance-shaped leaves that are grey-green in color. During the summer months, it produces multiple panicles of fragrant flowers, each measuring up to 20 centimeters in length. The flowers are predominantly purple and are characterized by a unique white ring encircling the orange center.

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
Sand, Chalk, Loam
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline, Acid
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained, 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
1.5-2.5 metres
Spread
1-1.5 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
Wildlife gardens, Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal
Fragrance
Flower

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in full sun. See buddleja cultivation for more detailed advice
Pruning
Pruning group 6
Propagation
Propagate by hardwood cuttings in autumn, or by heeled semi-hardwood 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