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Buddleja davidii Buzz Lilac (Buzz Series)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

butterfly bush [Buzz Lilac]

A small Buddleja reaching 1.2m suited to growing in a patio pot. It has silver-green leaves and fragrant, deep mauve flowers all summer and autumn.

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Sand
Chalk
Loam
Clay
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Neutral, Alkaline, Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Grey Silver Green
Summer Purple Grey Silver Green
Autumn Purple Grey Silver Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H5
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

Trade

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun. See buddleja cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by heeled semi-hardwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • 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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