Buddleja: A Butterfly’s Best Friend
Hi, I’m Ferb Vu, and I’ve got a confession: I’m a Buddleja enthusiast. You might know them better as butterfly bushes, and for good reason. These flowering shrubs are like magnets for butterflies, bees, and even the occasional hummingbird. But my fascination with Buddleja goes beyond their ability to attract pollinators. I’m captivated by their diversity, their hardiness, and their sheer beauty.
A World of Buddleja
The Buddleja genus boasts over 100 species, hailing from Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This incredible variety means there’s a Buddleja for almost any garden, from compact dwarfs to towering giants. Here are:
- Buddleja acuminata Poir.
- Buddleja × alata Rehder & E.H.Wilson
- Buddleja albiflora Hemsl.
- Buddleja alternifolia Maxim.
- Buddleja americana L.
- Buddleja anchoensis Kuntze
- Buddleja angusticarpa (E.M.Norman & L.B.Sm.) G.P.Coelho & Miotto
- Buddleja araucana Phil.
- Buddleja aromatica J.Rémy
- Buddleja asiatica Lour.
- Buddleja auriculata Benth.
- Buddleja axillaris Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.
- Buddleja bhutanica T.Yamaz.
- Buddleja blattaria J.F.Macbr.
- Buddleja bordignonii G.P.Coelho & Miotto
- Buddleja brachiata Cham. & Schltdl.
- Buddleja brachystachya Diels
- Buddleja bullata Kunth
- Buddleja candida Dunn
- Buddleja cardenasii Standl. ex E.M.Norman
- Buddleja caryopteridifolia W.W.Sm.
- Buddleja cestriflora Cham.
- Buddleja chapalana B.L.Rob.
- Buddleja chenopodiifolia Kraenzl.
- Buddleja colvilei Hook.f.
- Buddleja cordata Kunth
- Buddleja cordobensis Griseb.
- Buddleja coriacea J.Rémy
- Buddleja corrugata M.E.Jones
- Buddleja crispa Benth.
- Buddleja crotonoides A.Gray
- Buddleja cuneata Cham.
- Buddleja curviflora Hook. & Arn.
- Buddleja cuspidata Baker
- Buddleja davidii Franch.
- Buddleja delavayi L.F.Gagnep.
- Buddleja diffusa Ruiz & Pav.
- Buddleja domingensis Urb.
- Buddleja dysophylla (Benth.) Radlk.
- Buddleja elegans Cham. & Schltdl.
- Buddleja euryphylla Standl. & Steyerm.
- Buddleja fallowiana Balf.f. & W.W.Sm.
- Buddleja filibracteolata J.A.González & J.F.Morales
- Buddleja forrestii Diels
- Buddleja fragifera Leeuwenb.
- Buddleja fusca Baker
- Buddleja globosa Hope
- Buddleja glomerata H.L.Wendl.
- Buddleja grandiflora Cham. & Schltdl.
- Buddleja × griffithii (C.B.Clarke) C.Marquand
- Buddleja hatschbachii E.M.Norman & L.B.Sm.
- Buddleja hieronymi R.E.Fr.
- Buddleja hypsophila I.M.Johnst.
- Buddleja ibarrensis E.M.Norman
- Buddleja incana Ruiz & Pav.
- Buddleja indica Lam.
- Buddleja interrupta Kunth
- Buddleja iresinoides (Griseb.) Hosseus
- Buddleja jamesonii Benth.
- Buddleja japonica Hemsl.
- Buddleja jinsixiaensis R.B.Zhu
- Buddleja kleinii E.M.Norman & L.B.Sm.
- Buddleja lanata Benth.
- Buddleja lindleyana Fortune
- Buddleja lojensis E.M.Norman
- Buddleja longiflora Brade
- Buddleja longifolia Kunth
- Buddleja loricata Leeuwenb.
- Buddleja macrostachya Benth.
- Buddleja madagascariensis Lam.
- Buddleja marrubiifolia Benth.
- Buddleja megalocephala Donn.Sm.
- Buddleja mendozensis Gillies ex Benth.
- Buddleja microstachya E.D.Liu & H.Peng
- Buddleja misionum Kraenzl.
- Buddleja montana Britton
- Buddleja multiceps Kraenzl.
- Buddleja myriantha Diels
- Buddleja nitida Benth.
- Buddleja nivea Duthie
- Buddleja normaniae J.H.Chau
- Buddleja oblonga Benth.
- Buddleja officinalis Maxim.
- Buddleja paniculata Wall.
- Buddleja parviflora Kunth
- Buddleja perfoliata Kunth
- Buddleja pichinchensis Kunth
- Buddleja polycephala Kunth
- Buddleja polystachya Fresen.
- Buddleja pulchella N.E.Br.
- Buddleja racemosa Torr.
- Buddleja ramboi L.B.Sm.
- Buddleja rinconensis (Mayfield) J.H.Chau
- Buddleja rufescens Willd.
- Buddleja saligna Willd.
- Buddleja salviifolia (L.) Lam.
- Buddleja scordioides Kunth
- Buddleja sessiliflora Kunth
- Buddleja simplex Kraenzl.
- Buddleja skutchii C.V.Morton
- Buddleja soratae Kraenzl.
- Buddleja speciosissima Taub.
- Buddleja sphaerocalyx Baker
- Buddleja stachyoides Cham. & Schltdl.
- Buddleja suaveolens Kunth & C.D.Bouché
- Buddleja subcapitata E.D.Liu & H.Peng
- Buddleja thyrsoides Lam.
- Buddleja tsetangensis C.Marquand
- Buddleja tubiflora Benth.
- Buddleja tucumanensis Griseb.
- Buddleja utahensis Coville
- Buddleja vexans Kraenzl. & Loes. ex E.M.Norman
- Buddleja × wardii C.Marquand
- Buddleja yunnanensis L.F.Gagnep.
Why I Love Buddleja
My love for Buddleja stems from several reasons:
- They’re low-maintenance: Buddlejas are tough plants. They tolerate a wide range of soils, thrive in full sun, and are relatively drought-tolerant once established. This makes them perfect for busy gardeners like myself who want maximum impact with minimal fuss.
- They’re versatile: Whether you have a small balcony or a sprawling garden, there’s a Buddleja to fit your space. They can be grown as shrubs, hedges, or even trained as standards. Their adaptability makes them ideal for various garden styles, from cottage gardens to contemporary landscapes.
- They’re wildlife-friendly: As their common name suggests, butterfly bushes are a haven for butterflies. Watching these colorful creatures flitting among the blooms is a joy. But it’s not just butterflies that benefit. Bees and other pollinators also flock to Buddlejas, making them a valuable addition to any ecosystem.
Buddleja in My Garden
In my own garden, I’ve cultivated a small collection of Buddlejas. I have a ‘Black Knight’ Buddleja davidii with its deep purple flowers, a ‘Sungold’ with its vibrant yellow blooms, and a ‘Pink Delight’ with its soft pink flower spikes. I’ve also planted a Buddleja alternifolia, which I’ve trained to climb a trellis, creating a fragrant waterfall of flowers.
I’ve found that Buddlejas are easy to propagate from cuttings, so I’ve been able to share my love for these plants with friends and family. It’s always a pleasure to see a cutting I’ve given thrive in someone else’s garden.
A Note on Invasiveness
It’s important to acknowledge that some Buddleja species, particularly Buddleja davidii, can be invasive in certain regions. Their seeds spread easily, and they can quickly colonize disturbed areas. If you live in an area where Buddleja is considered invasive, it’s crucial to choose sterile cultivars or take steps to prevent seed dispersal. Deadheading spent flowers is a simple but effective way to reduce self-seeding.
The Enduring Appeal of Buddleja
Despite the concerns about invasiveness, I believe Buddlejas have a valuable place in our gardens. Their beauty, hardiness, and ability to attract wildlife make them a worthwhile addition to any landscape. With careful selection and responsible gardening practices, we can enjoy these wonderful plants while minimizing their environmental impact.
For me, Buddlejas represent the joy of gardening. They’re a reminder that even with minimal effort, we can create a space that is both beautiful and beneficial to the natural world. So, if you’re looking for a plant that’s easy to grow, attracts wildlife, and adds a touch of magic to your garden, look no further than Buddleja. You won’t be disappointed.
