7 Evergreen Butterfly Bushes

Buddleja davidii 'White Profusion' : a shrub with refined flowering

Buddleia davidii are among the best-known members of the genus. They are reliable choices, commonly found in gardens. Note that, although the type species is invasive, it is now banned from sale and most cultivars offered are sterile. If you would like more information on this subject, see our article: Invasive, harmful to butterflies… Should we really be afraid of Buddleia?

‘White Profusion’ stands out, as its name suggests, for its generous pure-white flowering. It enlivens the garden throughout summer, thanks to its panicles measuring 30 to 40 cm long. They are white, enlivened by a small touch of yellow at the centre of each flower. This scented flowering gives off honeyed notes that inevitably attract butterflies and other pollinators. It is one of the most popular white Buddleias.

The foliage consists of long leaves of a silvery-green colour, covered with a grey down on the underside. They are pointed and lanceolate in shape. In mild climates, that is if frosts are not too severe and remain sporadic, it will be evergreen. It is therefore a Buddleia considered semi-evergreen, since it only retains its foliage when winter conditions are not too harsh.

This Buddleia forms a handsome, rounded, bushy shrub with a somewhat spreading habit, thanks to its supple, arching branches. It will reach 3 metres in height with a 4-metre spread in under 10 years.

‘White Profusion’ is easy to grow. It will establish in poor soils and will tolerate occasional drought. It is also an ideal candidate for urban gardens, as it tolerates pollution well. It will perform wonderfully in a sunny monochrome border, for example alongside roses and crape myrtles, which also flower in white.

Buddleja alternifolia 'Unique': a dwarf variety with semi-evergreen foliage

Buddleja alternifolia ‘Unique’ is a small specimen, which will not exceed 1.20 m in all directions at maturity. This dwarf variety is ideal for brightening small gardens, but also in a pot on a terrace or balcony.

Particularly floriferous, it produces a profusion of flowering panicles from June to October. They consist of lilac-coloured flowers, which attract pollinators. This flowering is lightly scented.

Its compact, weeping habit gives it great charm. Shoots bear small grey-green leaves that look almost silver. It will retain all or part of this foliage if winter is mild enough.

Undemanding, this alternate-leaved Buddleia will tolerate all soil types in full sun. It is perfect for creating a flowering container. Dress its base with hardy geraniums or asters.

Buddleja weyeriana x davidii 'Flower Power' : bicoloured shrub that retains its foliage

‘Flower Power’ stands out for an evolving bicoloured flowering display. Purple flower spikes open orange, then take on bluish-violet shades. A variety that does not go unnoticed and puts on a show all summer! Of course, it will also attract ballets of butterflies, which will appreciate this shimmering, fragrant flowering.

Foliage is equally interesting and changeable. Narrow, oval leaves first show a grey‑green, before taking on a bright green over time. If winter is not too harsh, it will be an evergreen shrub, which will keep its attractive foliage all year round.

This Buddleia has a modest silhouette, reaching 2 to 3 metres in height with a 1.50 metre spread. That makes it suitable for most gardens. Its habit is spreading and growing like a bush.

Plant this Buddleia in ordinary, free‑draining soil in a sunny position. It copes better with drought than its relatives Buddleia davidii.

In a border, its colourful flowering will be highlighted by silver‑leaved foliage, such as that of the Artemisia or Helichrysum italicum.

Buddleja glomerata 'Silver Service': particularly ornamental foliage all year round

Foliage of this Buddleia glomerata ‘Silver Service’ is undoubtedly one of its ornamental assets. Shrub produces surprisingly undulating, finely cut leaves, covered with a silvery coating. Over time, they will take on subtle bluish tones. This is an evergreen Buddleia, decorative even in winter.

But this species does not stand out only for its foliage. Flowering is early, as it occurs in late spring, between May and June depending on climate. It consists of airy, globose panicles made up of pale yellow flowers, giving shrub a slightly mimosa-like aspect. This flowering is lightly scented and much appreciated by our precious pollinators.

From its South African origins, this Buddleia has inherited rather limited hardiness. It will not tolerate frosts below -8°C, but will prove very resistant to summer drought.

At maturity, ‘Silver Service’ will reach only 1.5 metres high by 1.2 metres wide, allowing it to be grown in a pot in regions with harsh winters so it can be protected from severe frosts.

Give it sun and an ordinary but well-drained soil, even poor, stony or calcareous. It will thrive in a rockery, alongside other undemanding plants such as lavender or rosemary. Their purple blooms will complement beautifully the yellow flowers of our Buddleia.

Buddleja davidii x fallowiana ‘Lochinch’: leaves with changing colour

‘Lochinch’ is a handsome, colourful butterfly bush. It combines ornamental qualities of its flowering and of its foliage.

For many months, from summer to autumn, it produces handsome flower spikes 20 cm long, particularly dense. These panicles gather blue‑lilac flowers, lit by an orange eye. Their honeyed fragrance again delights visiting pollinators. Regular pruning will stimulate production of new flowers.

Oval, pointed foliage is first tinged with silver before taking on an almond‑green hue. Semi‑evergreen, this foliage remains in place if winter is not too harsh and prolonged.

For its qualities, this shrub has been awarded a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit, one of the most prestigious awards for a plant.

Fairly vigorous, it will reach 2 to 3 metres in all directions after only about 5 years on average.

This Buddleia thrives in sun or partial shade, in rather cool soil. It does not tolerate summer drought well, so is not a good choice for sun‑scorched gardens. Otherwise, it proves undemanding and robust, even tolerating lime‑bearing soil.

In a scented border, it will be accompanied by mock orange or Mexican orange blossom.

Buddleja colvilei: luxuriant, evergreen foliage

This wild shrub is rather rare in cultivation. Buddleja colvilei rewards with the largest flowers in the genus, displaying a lovely pink with a white centre. They are bell-shaped, which really sets them apart from other Buddleja species. They are gathered in terminal spikes 20 cm long, which appear in summer and persist for around 3 weeks.

Thick, dark foliage persists in mild climates. These leaves are borne on flexible shoots with brown‑purple tones.

A true vegetal cascade, this Buddleia, reaching 4 metres in every direction, will add volume and luxuriance to the garden.

Its hardiness is slightly lower than other Buddleja (around -10°C). A little more demanding, it prefers rather cool soils (which never dry out completely), fairly rich in organic matter, yet well drained. Plant in a sunny position.

Its wild habit is ideal in a free‑form hedge, alongside a Cotinus coggygria or a Tamarisk.

Buddleja stachyoides x tubiflora ‘Orange Sceptre’: great aesthetic qualities

‘Orange Sceptre’ is a Buddleia still not widely grown, which appeals for its many ornamental qualities. First of all, its green foliage, covered in a silvery down, remains evergreen if winter isn’t too frosty. In mild climates, it can flower for many months, well into late autumn.

Its inflorescences are made up of clusters of small orange flowers, a colour rarely seen in Buddleias.

Fairly modest, it will reach just over 2 metres in height with a spread of 1.2 metres at maturity.

Like most of its relatives, it prefers sun and well-drained soil that is not too dry.

Its flowering is perfect for adding an exotic touch to the garden, for example alongside Eucalyptus.