Buddleja davidii Free Petite Lavender Flow - Butterfly Bush

Buddleia davidii Petite Lavender Flow is a selection from the popular Free Petite series, prized for its very compact dimensions and its exceptionally long flowering period. This variety forms a rounded bush with a maximum height of 1 m (3.3 ft), with dense and nicely spread branches, adorned with light green-grey foliage. Despite its small size, its inflorescences remain large, forming panicles of about 20 cm (7.8 in) in bright lavender-blue with an orange heart. The flowers can appear as early as May and continue until the first frosts in early winter. This butterfly tree has the advantage of being sterile and does not self-seed, keeping its decorative side for a long time without becoming bare or blackened with seeds. Easy to grow, it is a perfectly hardy bush that grows in all well-drained soils, exposed to full sun. It will even tolerate limestone soil. Its habit and small size make it suitable for planting in pots and as ground cover on slopes and more difficult areas.

Buddleia davidii Petite Lavender Flow belongs to the Scrophulariaceae (Buddlejaceae) family, and is derived from David's Buddleia, also known as Père David's Buddleia or Changing Buddleia, a robust Chinese species.

Petite Lavender Flow will reach its maximum adult size of 1 m (3.3 ft) in height and 1.2 m (3.9 ft) in width within 3 or 4 years. It produces many branches adorned with grey-green leaves with a whitish underside. The leaves, 12 cm to 20 cm (4.7 in to 7.9 in) long, are pointed and lanceolate in shape. This deciduous foliage is absent in winter, except in mild climates. This variety can bloom from May to November if weather permits. The flower panicles are about 20 cm (7.9 in) long. These flowers are a very bright lavender-blue with a small orange eye and release a sweet fragrance reminiscent of honey, highly sought after by pollinating insects: they contain substances collected by pollinating insects that they will transform into honey. This very hardy shrub is highly resistant to urban pollution, and does not suffer from occasional drought in deep soil. When grown in a container, it will require frequent watering and regular fertiliser applications.

Whether planted alone or in groups, at the corner of the house, on a dry slope, or in a flower border, Buddleia davidii Petite Lavender Flow will bring the garden to life throughout the summer and into early autumn. Its very long-lasting intense violet flowering perfectly complements other shrubs and perennials in a mass planting with pink, mauve, violet, and white flowers (phlox, echinaceas), and with grey and silver foliage of artemisias, salvias, and lamiums. Its flowering offers strong contrasts with the golden foliage of choisya and the yellow flowers of hypericum. This moderate-growing variety is also suitable for container cultivation in smaller gardens but is even better suited as a free hedge with weigelas, other buddleias, or to bring a more informal structure to a strict and colourless corner of the garden. It adapts well to coastal areas and thrives in any good well-drained garden soil. Its pleasantly scented flowers are also very attractive in bouquets.