Buddleia ( Butterfly Bush )

The genus Buddleia contains numerous small, ornamental trees and shrubs. Of these, Buddleia davidii and Buddleia x weyeriana produce the cut flowers popular with today's florists. Named in honor of the Rev. Adam Buddle, an English botanist, and Armand David, a French missionary who discovered the species in its native China, Buddleia davidii, the most common cut-flower species, blooms in white, pink, lavender, purple and blue. Popular cultivars include 'Black Knight,' a deep-purple, richly scented bloom; 'Dubonnet,' an orange-throated purple flower; 'White Bouquet,' an orange-throated white flower; and 'Royal Red,' a purple-red bloom. Popular Buddleia x weyeriana cultivars include 'Sun Gold,' with its yellow-orange flowers; and 'Golden Glow,' which features fragrant, pale yellow-orange blooms. Buddleia's common name, butterfly bush, is derived from the plant's ability to attract butterflies. This characteristic makes Buddleia a popular landscape plant. Buddleia blooms are best picked when about half of the flowers have opened, but before the open blossoms begin to fade.

April through November. 5-10 days.

Buddleia's flowers grow on a panicle, or many-branched stem. Each panicle also produces multiple branches upon which buddleia's tiny flowers bloom. The result is a large cluster of tiny flowers, suitable for line or filler functions in floral designs. Buddleia flowers dry well and retain their fragrance after drying. Remove large leaves from buddleia stems before hanging them to dry in a well-ventilated area.