This species isn't long-lived (usually under 10 years). Hard pruning (to 6") annually in early spring helps it renew itself and improves ...Read Morebloom.
All B. davdii cultivars require weekly deadheading for them to look and bloom its best.
Butterfly bushes may be good nectar sources for adult butterflies, but they are not food sources for the caterpillars of any Lepidoptera native to the continental US.
In some places, B. davidii can be an invasive weed: England, France, New Zealand, and the states of Oregon and Washington. It has naturalized in eastern N. America but is not considered invasive there. Recent cultivars are usually selected for dramatically reduced fertility.This species has naturalized along the west coast of N. America from BC to Califolia, and also in 17 eastern states.
I have had this plant in the garden for two months. During this time it has doubled in size and is flowering beautifully. The flowers are...Read More indeed violet - slightly more purple than a typical english lavender. They are nicely shaped in pointed panicles and very full. The shape of the bush is round and full. The foliage color is outstanding. It is variegated with lemony cream and light green which looks wonderful with other plants.
UPDATE:
I have removed all my buddleias except the Lochinch. All but the Lochinch had become infested with mildew. I don't know if it's the weather these past years or the density of buddleias, but I suspect both have contributed. I noticed the mildew last year and cut them all to the ground. This spring, the lochinch was the only one that produced healthy leaves. I dug out all the others, including the summer skies.
There are far too many buddleias in my region. There are probably 10-12 buddleias *per block* throughout my town. I've noticed that butterflies, hawk moths, and even hummingbirds no longer attend to other nectar flowers - only the buddleias. Additionally, many people don't prune or care for their gardens and most of these buddlieas have grown enormous - and all have wrinkling grey mildewed leaves. So I think that this mildew blight is being spread throughout my region.
I removed my plants because I feel it is irresponsible (and unattractive) to keep a diseased plant. I replaced them with native milkweeds and a few other nectar flowers, hoping to provide more options for wildlife and to prevent the spread of mildew.
This species isn't long-lived (usually under 10 years). Hard pruning (to 6") annually in early spring helps it renew itself and improves ...Read More
I have had this plant in the garden for two months. During this time it has doubled in size and is flowering beautifully. The flowers are...Read More