Buddleia asiatica is the biggest of the Butterfly Bushes that I have seen, sometimes
approaching 12' or more. The Butterfly bushes can be pruned very hard (I think of it as simulating
winter) and respond well to this treatment. If Buddleia asiatica does not
get pruned the plants will get quite
large and rather twiggy by their third season. I have grown
great specimens in a winter
quagmire as well as with virtually no summer water proving their garden
adaptability. The Buddleia asiatica flowers are very fragrant, some
say they are the most fragrant, no argument from me. Buddleia
asiatic plants can be kept blooming by
deadheading or cutting the spent flowers. This can become quite a task on a 10 foot
bush. Unfortunately the flowers do not readily drop on their own.
Butterfly bush is a common name that carries a great deal of
popularity. It can be properly applied to several plants including Clerodendrum ugandense, Asclepias tuberosa and any of the rest of the
Buddleia's. I am sure that this list of plants bearing the butterfly bush
name is nowhere near
complete.
Buddleia asiatica is a nectar source for the Red
Admiral Butterfly and a great addition to the butterfly
garden.
Click on the image to see more of the Buddleia's
