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Buddleja davidii 'Santana' (v)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

butterfly bush 'Santana'

A deciduous shrub reaching a height of up to 4m if left unpruned. It has lance-shaped, variegated leaves, green edged with golden-yellow, and panicles of red-purple flowers up to 50cm long borne on arching stems from mid- to late summer

Synonyms
Buddleja 'Santana'
Buddleja davidii 'Thia'
see moreBuddleja davidii Santana

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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Yellow Variegated
Summer Purple Red Green Yellow Variegated
Autumn Purple Red Green Yellow Variegated
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Scrophulariaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Buddleja can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs, occasionally trees or scrambling climbers with simple leaves and panicles of small, tubular fragrant flowers

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Performs best when grown in a sunny, well-drained situation. See buddleja cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 6

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bugs, caterpillars, earwigs, figwort weevils, glasshouse red spider mite, leaf and bud eelworm, and mullein moth

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus, fungal leaf spot, and virus diseases

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