About

Buddleja nivea is a robust deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub that can reach heights of approximately 3 meters. It has an upright growth form and features young stems that are covered in a woolly texture. The foliage consists of elongated, narrow leaves that are dark green on the upper side and display silvery tones beneath, with serrated margins. In late summer, the plant produces slender flower clusters, reaching lengths of up to 15 centimeters, in a pale purple hue.

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
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
2.5-4 metres
Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants
Native to
China

Care notes

Cultivation
Thrives in a sunny spot with good drainage, will not tolerate excess winter wet. May be evergreen if grown in a warm sheltered spot or overwintered in a cool greenhouse. See buddleja cultivation for more detailed advice
Pruning
Pruning group 6
Propagation
Propagate by 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