114 Species in Genus Buddleja

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 belong to the Scrophulariaceae family, 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:

  1. Buddleja acuminata Poir.
  2. Buddleja × alata Rehder & E.H.Wilson
  3. Buddleja albiflora Hemsl.
  4. Buddleja alternifolia Maxim.
  5. Buddleja americana L.
  6. Buddleja anchoensis Kuntze
  7. Buddleja angusticarpa (E.M.Norman & L.B.Sm.) G.P.Coelho & Miotto
  8. Buddleja araucana Phil.
  9. Buddleja aromatica J.Rémy
  10. Buddleja asiatica Lour.
  11. Buddleja auriculata Benth.
  12. Buddleja axillaris Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.
  13. Buddleja bhutanica T.Yamaz.
  14. Buddleja blattaria J.F.Macbr.
  15. Buddleja bordignonii G.P.Coelho & Miotto
  16. Buddleja brachiata Cham. & Schltdl.
  17. Buddleja brachystachya Diels
  18. Buddleja bullata Kunth
  19. Buddleja candida Dunn
  20. Buddleja cardenasii Standl. ex E.M.Norman
  21. Buddleja caryopteridifolia W.W.Sm.
  22. Buddleja cestriflora Cham.
  23. Buddleja chapalana B.L.Rob.
  24. Buddleja chenopodiifolia Kraenzl.
  25. Buddleja colvilei Hook.f.
  26. Buddleja cordata Kunth
  27. Buddleja cordobensis Griseb.
  28. Buddleja coriacea J.Rémy
  29. Buddleja corrugata M.E.Jones
  30. Buddleja crispa Benth.
  31. Buddleja crotonoides A.Gray
  32. Buddleja cuneata Cham.
  33. Buddleja curviflora Hook. & Arn.
  34. Buddleja cuspidata Baker
  35. Buddleja davidii Franch. Plant FAQs: Buddleja Davidii Black KnightPlant FAQs: Buddleja Davidii Monum Nanho Purple
  36. Buddleja delavayi L.F.Gagnep.
  37. Buddleja diffusa Ruiz & Pav.
  38. Buddleja domingensis Urb.
  39. Buddleja dysophylla (Benth.) Radlk.
  40. Buddleja elegans Cham. & Schltdl.
  41. Buddleja euryphylla Standl. & Steyerm.
  42. Buddleja fallowiana Balf.f. & W.W.Sm.
  43. Buddleja filibracteolata J.A.González & J.F.Morales
  44. Buddleja forrestii Diels
  45. Buddleja fragifera Leeuwenb.
  46. Buddleja fusca Baker
  47. Buddleja globosa Hope Plant FAQs: Buddleja Globosa
  48. Buddleja glomerata H.L.Wendl.
  49. Buddleja grandiflora Cham. & Schltdl.
  50. Buddleja × griffithii (C.B.Clarke) C.Marquand
  51. Buddleja hatschbachii E.M.Norman & L.B.Sm.
  52. Buddleja hieronymi R.E.Fr.
  53. Buddleja hypsophila I.M.Johnst.
  54. Buddleja ibarrensis E.M.Norman
  55. Buddleja incana Ruiz & Pav.
  56. Buddleja indica Lam.
  57. Buddleja interrupta Kunth
  58. Buddleja iresinoides (Griseb.) Hosseus
  59. Buddleja jamesonii Benth.
  60. Buddleja japonica Hemsl.
  61. Buddleja jinsixiaensis R.B.Zhu
  62. Buddleja kleinii E.M.Norman & L.B.Sm.
  63. Buddleja lanata Benth.
  64. Buddleja lindleyana Fortune
  65. Buddleja lojensis E.M.Norman
  66. Buddleja longiflora Brade
  67. Buddleja longifolia Kunth
  68. Buddleja loricata Leeuwenb.
  69. Buddleja macrostachya Benth.
  70. Buddleja madagascariensis Lam.
  71. Buddleja marrubiifolia Benth.
  72. Buddleja megalocephala Donn.Sm.
  73. Buddleja mendozensis Gillies ex Benth.
  74. Buddleja microstachya E.D.Liu & H.Peng
  75. Buddleja misionum Kraenzl.
  76. Buddleja montana Britton
  77. Buddleja multiceps Kraenzl.
  78. Buddleja myriantha Diels
  79. Buddleja nitida Benth.
  80. Buddleja nivea Duthie
  81. Buddleja normaniae J.H.Chau
  82. Buddleja oblonga Benth.
  83. Buddleja officinalis Maxim.
  84. Buddleja paniculata Wall.
  85. Buddleja parviflora Kunth
  86. Buddleja perfoliata Kunth
  87. Buddleja pichinchensis Kunth
  88. Buddleja polycephala Kunth
  89. Buddleja polystachya Fresen.
  90. Buddleja pulchella N.E.Br.
  91. Buddleja racemosa Torr.
  92. Buddleja ramboi L.B.Sm.
  93. Buddleja rinconensis (Mayfield) J.H.Chau
  94. Buddleja rufescens Willd.
  95. Buddleja saligna Willd.
  96. Buddleja salviifolia (L.) Lam.
  97. Buddleja scordioides Kunth
  98. Buddleja sessiliflora Kunth
  99. Buddleja simplex Kraenzl.
  100. Buddleja skutchii C.V.Morton
  101. Buddleja soratae Kraenzl.
  102. Buddleja speciosissima Taub.
  103. Buddleja sphaerocalyx Baker
  104. Buddleja stachyoides Cham. & Schltdl.
  105. Buddleja suaveolens Kunth & C.D.Bouché
  106. Buddleja subcapitata E.D.Liu & H.Peng
  107. Buddleja thyrsoides Lam.
  108. Buddleja tsetangensis C.Marquand
  109. Buddleja tubiflora Benth.
  110. Buddleja tucumanensis Griseb.
  111. Buddleja utahensis Coville
  112. Buddleja vexans Kraenzl. & Loes. ex E.M.Norman
  113. Buddleja × wardii C.Marquand
  114. 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.

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