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Buddleia

Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) is a deciduous shrub growing up to ten feet tall. Many named cultivars are available in shades of red, pink, white, lavender or purple. Black Knight, Pink Delight, Nanho Purple have all done well in arid, windy Sherilton Valley. The butterflies seek out their nectar flowers all summer long.

Ruth says: 'Now about six feet tall and beautiful lavender blooms.'

Marguerite says: 'I love these shrubs! They do well if completely ignored, planted in poor soil and not fed. They do even better with just a little care. If cut back in spring, and deadheaded when blooms start to form seeds, they bloom all summer and into the fall. Butterflies love them too!'

CULTIVATION:

• Plant in full sun. Provide somewhat fertile soil. Feed in early spring and perhaps again in early summer. They love the heat and are drought resistant. Let the soil dry out between watering, and provide deep water periodically. Reduce water in late fall to encourage winter dormancy.

PROPAGATION:

• Buddleia may be started from seed in spring. Protect until the plants become well settled. They transplant easily from purchased five gallon or larger plants. Best transplanted in fall, while plants are young. Most can be started from greenwood cuttings in late spring.

SEASONAL TREATMENT:

• They like to be well-pruned in early spring. Remove about a third of the oldest canes at the base, and cut back to rest above a leaf node, leaving twelve to eighteen inches of cane.
  After summer blooms die back, deadhead old seedheads for continuing fall bloom.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Attract butterflies.

OTHER SPECIES TO TRY:

• Buddleia alternifolia is a deciduous shrub with long, arching branches. It grows up to twelve feet tall and has very fragrant purple flowers. It is also a butterfly magnet. This shrub can also be trained as a standard or small tree. It blooms on year-old wood and has different pruning requirements than B. davidii.

SOURCES:

• Local Nurseries; High Country Gardens and other mail order sources.

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