Buddleja davidii Nanho Blue - Butterfly Bush

Buddleia davidii Nanho Blue ('Mongo') is a beautiful dwarf variety of butterfly bush, with a compact and gracefully open habit, ideal for small spaces. This hardy bush produces lavender blue panicles, 15 cm (6 in) long, from June to October. Its numerous small lavender-blue flowers with yellow-orange hearts are gathered in dense clusters and emerge from beautiful silver-green foliage. Multitudes of butterflies cover the bush, lured by its sweet scent. Its modest size is particularly well suited to small spaces and perennial borders.

Buddleia davidii Nanho Blue is a deciduous shrub with a spreading and compact habit, belonging to the Scrophulariaceae (Buddlejaceae) family. This bush will reach about 1.5 m (5 ft) in height and width. It produces stout and arching branches that give it a bushy and trailing habit. Fast-growing, it flowers from June to October, producing an abundance of dense 15 cm (6 in) long flower panicles. These flowers are lavender-blue with yellow-orange eyes and release a sweet fragrance, highly sought after by pollinating insects. Its ornamental foliage is composed of long silver-green leaves, with a grey downy underside. The leaves, 12 to 20 cm (5 to 8 in) long, are pointed and lanceolate. This very hardy bush does not suffer from occasional drought when planted in deep soil.

Whether planted alone or in a group, in a hedge or at the back of a perennial border, Buddleia davidii Nanho Blue will enhance the garden. Its subtly silver-toned foliage will highlight red roses or the colourful panicles of summer lilacs. You can also plant it in a small free-standing hedge to separate themed areas in the garden. It adapts well to coastal areas and can be grown in large pots. In a monochrome theme, for example, you can plant it with a small purple Rudbeckia like the variety 'Little Magnus', whose flowers will contrast beautifully with their shape. These fragrant flowers are also very attractive in bouquets.