Buddleja davidii 'WHITE PROFUSION' butterfly bush, buddleja
size/type
medium-sized shrub,medium-sized shrub
usual height
2-3m
usual width
2-3m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
July-September
location
full sun
soil type
any (acidic to alkaline)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist (dislikes drought)
USDA zone (lowest)
5b (down to -27°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Buddleja is better known as butterfly bush. The reason is obvious – from early summer when it starts blooming until early autumn it produces large, scented flowers that attract winged insects, mostly butterflies. If you are not yet aware of how many butterfly species you can get in your part of the world get one buddleja and in a few weeks you can apply for a doctor’s degree in butterflies!
Description of the plant:
White Profusion is a white flowering butterfly bush. Individual flowers are small and tubular, formed in up to 40 cm long, dense panicles at the ends of the branches. The inflorescence may look like lilac hence its other name: summer lilac. However, it can get misleading as summer lilac is more often used for lagerstroemia.Deciduous leaves are lanceolate, medium green with a silvery blue tint and slightly hairy. The shrub is airy and makes arching branches. It grows fast and gains attractive shape with age. To achieve a nice looking plant cut back last year’s branches to low permanent framework as buds begin to swell.
Butterfly bush requires little care. Plant it in full sun, in well-drained humus-rich soil. It will die in boggy soil after winter. Though hardy to -27°C (USDA zone 5b) it performs better in warmer zones.
We suggest buying older plants with woody framework for planting in colder areas.
Last update 15-07-2009
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