Buddleja lindleyana - Butterfly Bush

Buddleja lindleyana has a spreading and arching habit, with a very natural appearance. In the heart of summer, its vibrant green foliage blends with its blue-violet flowering in a romantic scene. The bush then takes on a weeping appearance with numerous long and slender pendulous flower clusters. Whether in a pot on a terrace or in a naturalistic-style border, it will be the highlight of summer.

The Buddleja genus includes about a hundred species of deciduous or evergreen shrubs, native to China, Africa, South Asia, and South America. They are named after Adam Buddle, a famous English botanist of the 17th century. This genus can sometimes be spelled 'Buddleia', but the official spelling seems to be 'Buddleja'. They are mostly shrubs with a flexible and irregular habit, giving them a very natural appearance. Some species are considered invasive due to their numerous self-seeding seeds. However, it should be noted that the bush generally colonises areas heavily impacted by humans, particularly urbanised areas.

Native to southeastern China, Buddleja lindleyana is cultivated in the West for its generous ornamental qualities. It has a bushy and spreading habit. Its thick trunk bears numerous slender and arching branches, giving the bush a weeping and wild appearance. It reaches a height of 2 m to 3 m (6.6 ft to 9.8 ft) and a spread of 1 m to 2 m (3.3 ft to 6.6 ft) at maturity. The foliage is a beautiful vibrant green on the upper side and paler on the underside. The leaves are simple, opposite, elliptical, short-petioled, and measure 10 cm to 20 cm (3.9 in to 7.9 in). They have a slight rust-coloured pubescence on the underside. The foliage is semi-evergreen but can disappear completely in harsh winters or persist in mild winters.

In the heart of summer, Buddleja lindleyana is adorned with a unique flowering that lasts until September. The bush is covered in small silver-grey tubular flowers with a deep purple centre. They are slightly curved, and are arranged in long and slender pendulous terminal panicles of about 20 cm (7.9 in) in length. The flower spikes taper at their tip, and the flowers bloom one by one. The weeping silhouette is greatly accentuated by these pendulous clusters. The delicate fragrance emitted by the flowers attracts a profusion of butterflies that flutter around the bush in an endless ballet.

In China, the flowers and roots of Buddleja lindleyana are used for making natural remedies. The stems and leaves are used to make insecticides against mosquitoes, flies, and aphids. They are, however, toxic if ingested.

Gardeners appreciate the long summer flowering of buddlejas and use them in hedgerows, borders, and as standalone plants when their size allows. Thanks to its rather generous proportions, unique appearance, and extraordinary flowering, Buddleja lindleyana can be a key element in your outdoor decor if you have a small garden. It can also be placed at the back of a border to highlight light-foliaged shrubs like the Golden Japanese Spindle Tree or Abelia 'Confetti'. This butterfly bush can enhance a vibrant hedge, alongside Viburnum 'Roseum', Lagerstroemia indica 'Petite Red', or Weigela florida 'Alexandra'. Buddleja lindleyana can easily be grown in pots to add lush vegetation and cascading flowers to terraces and balconies.