Buddlejas are a beautiful, easy to grow shrub that is irresistible to butterflies – so much so that it is commonly referred to as ‘butterfly bush’. These delightful flowering shrubs produce colourful, conical flowers with a sweet honey scent, that usually begin blooming in early to midsummer. The clusters of flowers come in a range of colours, such as purple, blue, pink and white.
Longstock Park Nursery on Leckford Estate are proud to be home to a National Collection of over 100 buddlejas, with a wide variety available to buy. We feel passionate about conserving, growing and celebrating these wonderful plants, so have summarised below everything that you need to know about buddlejas.
The butterfly bush
Famous for attracting butterflies, buddlejas are covered in nectar-rich flowers which bloom at the time when butterflies are most common. The flowers are long and narrow so only insects with long tongues, such as the butterfly, can collect the sweet nectar. When covered in butterflies on a warm sunny day, no other plant can match the delight buddlejas bring to your garden.
When to plant Buddlejas
It’s best to plant buddlejas in mid to late spring. These hardy plants can withstand a variety of conditions, making them the perfect choice for those looking for a low effort garden plant. buddlejas can generally grow in any soil type, but they do require loose soil that is well-drained, meaning it is best to plant in spring when the soil is warmer. In areas with heavy clay soil, add plenty of compost with a handful of grit for added drainage.
Where to plant Buddlejas
These fast-growing shrubs can be planted in perennial borders, beds and containers. buddlejas are sun-loving plants, so make sure you plant them in a well-lit area and avoid keeping them in the shade.
When planting your buddlejas, remember that they tend to spread as they grow so it is best to space them 1.5 - 3 metres apart. Once planted, water the plant well to settle the soil around the roots.
How to care for Buddlejas
Buddlejas are low-maintenance shrubs that will thrive in most circumstances. However, to produce the best flowers, we recommend additional feeding in the spring, straight after pruning. We recommend pruning your Buddlejas once a year in late winter or early spring to encourage flower growth, then prune a few times during the summer to keep them under control.
At Leckford, we are passionate about growing and caring for buddlejas! We have a devoted team of experts on site at Longstock Park Nursery, so if you would like to find out more then get in touch with our friendly team today.
