Buddleja davidii Argus Velvet - Butterfly Bush

Buddleja Argus Velvet 'Ilvoargus2' combines the robustness of Buddleja davidii with the elegant grace of its cousin, Buddleja lindleyana. This hybrid also has the advantage of not self-seeding uncontrollably. With a flexible and almost weeping habit, it is adorned all summer with long, slender, arched spikes of violet flowers. The blooms emit a pleasant scent, which attracts multitudes of butterflies. This variety is also distinguished by moderate growth, well suited to small gardens. A hardy, accommodating and charming bush.

The Buddleja genus includes about a hundred species of deciduous or evergreen shrubs, native to China, Africa, South Asia and South America. They owe their name to Adam Buddle, a famous English botanist of the 17th century. Buddleja Argus Velvet is a horticultural hybrid introduced in 2011 by a Belgian nursery. It carries genes from Buddleja davidii 'Naho Purple' and from Buddleja lindleyana, a less known but truly graceful Chinese species. Buddlejas belong to the Scrophulariaceae (Buddlejaceae) family.

Argus Velvet is a freely growing, flexible, slightly weeping bush, taller than wide. Of fairly rapid growth, it will reach an average height of 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in 4 to 5 years, under good growing conditions. Its adult size will not exceed 2 m (6.6 ft) in height by 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in spread. It develops arched branches of brown colour, which highlight the foliage and flowering. The latter takes place from June-July to August-September; it is slightly earlier than that of classic butterfly bushes. It consists of panicles of gracefully trailing violet flowers, about 20 cm to 25 cm (7.9 in to 9.8 in) long and 2 cm to 3 cm (0.8 in to 1.2 in) wide. These flowers release a honey-like scent highly sought after by pollinating insects. The deciduous foliage falls in autumn. It consists of long, lanceolate leaves, measuring an average of 12.5 cm (4.9 in) in length and 3 cm (1.2 in) in width. They are of a slightly greyish medium green colour, with a greyish underside. This hardy shrub withstands urban pollution very well and does not suffer from occasional drought in deep soil.

Whether planted individually or in groups, in a hedge or at the back of a perennial bed, or even in a large container on a terrace, Buddleja Argus Velvet will enhance your outdoor space in a unique way. Adorned with beautiful violet panicles and animated by a constant flight of butterflies, it highlights all other flowering shrubs, especially pink, white, or purple roses. It pairs wonderfully with a small clematis, such as 'Little Mermaid' or 'Baby Star'. You can also plant it in a mixed hedge, alongside lilacs, viburnums, Japanese quinces, apple or cherry blossom trees, and many others. It adapts well to coastal areas and urban gardens. Its fragrant flowers are also very beautiful in bouquets.