When I moved to Ireland twenty four years this week. I brought a wheelie bin full of perennials and shrubs that I had propagated myself by division and cuttings.
I still have a lilac or purple Buddleia that I rooted from a cutting I took when we lived in Cheshire.
Last year I planted one of its cuttings in another part of the garden. It's grown immensely just like it's parent plant and it's currently flowering and attracting butterflies 🦋 like Red Admirals.
Butterfly,Buddleia and hmm, me finger.
They originate in China. French missionary and botanist Armand Davidii brought the seeds back to Europe and the Buddleia is named after him.
Some people say they are another invasive species like Rhododendrons are.
I have seen them growing in derelict bomb sites and in the train tracks at Temple Mead railway station in Bristol.
I like them. They are easy to propagate and you often find volunteer shrub plants growing in different parts of the garden especially in gravel.
They grow very large but there are small dwarf varieties.
If you want to attract butterflies in the garden. I would recommend you plant a Buddleia. Sedums also attract them.
Do you have Buddleia and butterflies in your garden?
We do indeed! Several self sown buddleias alongside the tram tracks that are now taller than me. I have trouble deadheading them and keeping them under control.
ReplyDeleteWhat colours are they JayCee? I am seeking a red one. Being a tight wad gardener and smallholder I would prefer a cutting rather than buying one.
ReplyDeleteJust the bog standard purple one. Although we also have a yellow and a pink one too.
DeleteVery nice and interesting JayCee. I must go and have a look in garden centres this Irish bank holiday weekend. I would love a dwarf or multi coloured Buddleia.
DeleteI wonder if that's something I've seen here. Such lovely blooms. I would love it to be invasive in our garden
ReplyDeleteI am sure they are Linda. If you want butterflies 🦋 in your garden plant one. They are very easy to propagate from cuttings.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbour has a huge one at the bottom of their garden, I don't think it's ever been cut back, they are beautiful, but sadly too big for my plot.
ReplyDeleteMarch is a good time to cut them back Marlene. Well worth taking cuttings for other gardens/gardeners.
ReplyDeleteYes - I have a massive buddleia that has wound its way round an old apple tree and now blooms about eighteen feet above the ground. I think it should be in The Guinness Book of Records.
ReplyDeleteI've seen them growing out of brick walls all over Lindon. Dor anyone who thinks they are too big all you need is a pair of lopers or a saw - cut them nearly to ground lwvel and they will come back next year. Our garden had two so old and never cut they had rotted at the base and jad gone beyond saving. I tried but they were already moribund
ReplyDeleteSounds a magnificent specimen YP. Photo please.
ReplyDeleteYes TM. You get a lot more bloom if you cut them back in March. I always grow a few from cuttings every Autumn or rescue and ot up self seeders
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