Buddleia (Buddleia spp.)

If you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for plant that adds vibrant color to your garden with stunning blooms, consider Buddleia, also known as Buddleja. These evergreen or deciduous shrubs are popular in many areas of Australia due to their resilience and hardiness. Their beautiful, fragrant flowers are particularly attractive to butterflies, which is why they are commonly referred to as the butterfly bush.

This plant tolerates a wide range of conditions, with some species found growing in wasteland. It grows in sun or shade and can reach heights of 1 to 2 metres or more. Buddleia is distinguished by its long, arching stems that are adorned with dense clusters of flowers during the summer. These flowers come in various colors, including purple, pink, white, and yellow, and often emit a sweet, honey-like fragrance, which enhances the plant’s appeal

There are many varieties of buddleia to choose from, ranging from the original form, known for its long, tapering flower spikes and large leaves, to newer, more compact, and free-flowering varieties. Check your local hardware store or garden center for options that suit your climate and location. Here are a few varieties to consider:

  • Buddleia davidii, commonly known as summer lilac, is the most popular variety of this plant. It produces tapering clusters of small purple flowers from spring through autumn, with variants that feature white, yellow, or pink blooms.
  • Buddleia davidii ‘High five’ is a compact option of Buddleia davidii, showcasing numerous large mauve and purple scented flowers throughout the summer. It is well-suited for cottage gardens or containers and is hardy and low maintenance once established.
  • Buddleia davidii ‘Royal red’ stands out in the garden during the warmer months with its large, fragrant, rich red-purple flowers. This fast-growing shrub can reach heights of 1 to 2 meters, depending on its location.
  • Buddleia salviifolia has white to mauve flowers in winter while the variety ‘Spring Promise’ has slender white flower heads from late winter to spring and is highly fragrant. It is not invasive and the bush is compact.
  • Buddleia ‘Golden Glow’ (Buddleiq weyeriana) showcases its massess of  of golden yellow ball like blooms from through spring to autumn. A large shurb to add style to any flowering garden it is a hardy plant that will flourish in the driest of gardens.
  • Buddleia Lochinch (Buddleja fallowiana)is an excellent choice for a large pot or container because it grows more compactly than the common Buddleia davidii. This shrub features long, narrow leaves and produces an abundance of slender, light violet flowers during the warmer months. It is a fast-growing deciduous plant that can reach heights of approximately 1 to 2 metres.

Growing conditions

Aspect Buddleias need a bright, sunny location with sun for all or most of the day, but will grow in more shaded spots. Those grown in more shaded conditions, especially in hot climates, produce fewer flowers.
Soil: These plants grow in a wide range of soils, but are best with moist soil; they are highly drought-tolerant once established. Before planting, add home-made compost and organic matter and/or Seasol Super Compost.. If growing buddleia in large pots or containers, use a premium potting mix such as Seasol Advanced Potting Mix.
Climate Buddleias grow in a wide range of climates from temperate to subtropical.

Buddleia plant with vibrant pink flowers promoting butterfly attraction and enhancing garden beauty
Buddleia plants showcasing vibrant purple and white flowers along a garden path promoting butterfly attraction and garden beauty

General care

Watering  Water your buddleias regularly to promote healthy growth and flowering. However, established plants in gardens are drought hardy. When planting or pruning, water them with Seasol to prevent transplant shock and aid establishment. For optimal growth and flowering, Buddleias will benefit from regular applications of Seasoll throughout the year.

Feeding and mulching Buddleias respond well to feeding. Use a complete fertiliser designed for flowering plants, such as Seasol plus Nutrients Roses & Flowers, throughout the seasons. Supplement this with a liquid fertiliser, like PowerFeed PRO SERIES for Roses & Flowers, every 2 to 4 weeks. For plants in containers, liquid feed them every 2 to 4 weeks during their growing and flowering periods. You can apply either PowerFeed PRO SERIES Roses & Flowers or PowerFeed All Purpose including Natives.

Mulch with organic mulch such as sugarcane mulch, pea straw or lucerne.

Pruning Prune your Buddleias after flowering to encourage dense and compact growth.

Watch out While these robust shrubs have few issues, be aware that some species can be invasive or weedy. Choose non-invasive varieties, such as ‘Spring Promise’.