Buddleja 'LOCHINCH' buddleja, butterfly bush

Lochinch is a hybrid butterfly bush which originated as a natural mutation in the gardens of the Lochinch Castle in Scotland around 1940. It is possibly a hybrid between the most utilized b.davidii and its Chinese relative, more tender sister b.fallowiana.

Lochinch buddleja produces about 25 cm long, very fragrant inflorescences composed of lilac pink to pale lavender violet flowers decorated with striking, deep orange throats. They are a magnet for bees and butterflies as well as other insects. Blooming begins in late June and continues until early September if the weather is sunny and warm.

Deciduous leaves are lanceolate, pale green with conspicuous, silver, hairy surface which gives it a unique look. The plant grows into a dense shrub with upright branches in the centre, and slightly arching side branches. Being related to Chinese buddleja it is more compact and bushy, and less vigorous.

Butterfly bush requires little care. Just prune it hard in early spring before the buds begin to swell to a solid framework, leaving about 10-30 cm of previous year's branches. Plant it in full sun, in well-drained humus-rich soil. It will die in boggy soil after winter. Lochinch is reliably hardy to about -23°C (USDA zone 6), possibly more but we have not had a chance to test it yet.

Last update 02-02-2018