Buddleja alternifolia

Butterfly Bush

Location

The South Border and Temple Garden

Description:

A hardy deciduous shrub, 3m (10ft) high by 6m (20ft) wide, with long arching branches, native to China. Narrow lanceolate pale green leaves and lavender-blue flowers borne in rounded clusters on the previous year's growth in June. Grown here as a standard it can be seen growing naturally near The Temple.

Site and Care:

Prefers alkaline soils in full sun; poorer soils are tolerated. Unlike other Buddleja pruning should be done after flowering in summer. Naturally grown specimens can be pruned heavily if required. Propagation is by half-ripe side shoot cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter.