Much Maligned Buddleja

I’ve often thought Buddleja gets a raw deal as a garden plant! As it is often seen growing like a huge weed at the side of railways and on derelict ground, it doesn’t always get the praise it deserves in what it can bring to the garden.

It is commonly known as the Butterfly Bush as its nectar rich flowers, set so close together, prove to be a magnet for long-tongued butterflies. The Butterfly Conservation charity state that Buddleja is an important food source for almost 30 different types of butterfly.

To get the best from your Buddleja, it needs to be cut back quite hard in Spring, almost down to two buds, to encourage an abundant display of blooms in July.

Buddleja produce conical, wand-like flowers on an arching bush of silvery foliage. Once in bloom, flowers can be deadheaded as they go over to encourage side shooting flowers which will extend the display for longer.

Buddleja can be a great addition to a garden border as some varieties can grow up to 2.5 metres tall. There are however, dwarf varieties which at less than a metre high, can also be grown in pots.

Not only are there taller and shorter varieties of Buddleja but there are a myriad of colour varieties and tones from purples and pinks through to oranges and whites – there’s bound to be a Buddleja to suit every garden!

The other fabulous thing about growing Buddleja in your garden is that it is pretty much a low maintenance plant, requiring no fussy care or maintenance. Plant it in a sunny spot in free-draining soil, prune it down in Spring and just let it do its thing!