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"When looked after a Buddleja bush can look stunning and brighten any garden through the hot summer months. They also have a beautiful perfume that attracts multiple species of moths, butterflies and bees. And for me? It's a pure delight. I absolutely adore Buddleja, and my garden is a testament to that. I have them in a vibrant array of colours: white, pink, dark purple, magenta, blue, and mauve, each adding its own unique charm."
"The official name for the Buddleja is 'Buddleja Davidii,' but most people refer to it as the 'butterfly bush' because it attracts so many butterflies to its lance-shaped clusters of flowers. The plant is available in shades of white, yellow, pink, mauve, red, and dark purple, as well as various sizes. The Buddleja has been known to grow as high as 10 feet and can also grow to an equivalent width. They are a great choice for those who want to add colour, take up space, or want to attract wildlife to their garden. They are best situated towards the middle back of a border."
"Some people consider Buddlejas to be a weed as they seem to pop up everywhere once one has become established. This makes them a great choice for many novice gardeners as they can withstand a variety of conditions. Buddleja produce hundreds of seeds that enable the plant to spread far and wide. They can start growing in gaps in paving, roads, and brickwork. If you are going to plant Buddleja, you should be responsible by trying to control their ability to spread by removing the spent flower heads so they don't produce seeds."
"The Buddleja is a perennial, semi-evergreen plant, meaning once it has flowered, it only loses its foliage for a short period of time. However, since I have been growing Buddleja, the winters in the South and East of England, especially in Suffolk, have been very mild, so my Buddlejas have stayed green all year round. The plant, when cut back in spring, will put all its efforts into growing, which means it flowers later in the year, usually from July through to the end of September. Cutting off spent flower heads will encourage more flower growth. As they are such a fast-growing plant, it makes them the perfect choice if you want to fill up an empty space."
"As with most late-flowering plants, they tend to need a long season to reach their full potential. Planting them in Spring or Autumn gives them enough time to grow to a substantial height and produce a beautiful display of flowers."
"Anyone should be able to grow a Buddleja. They like space with loose, well-drained soil. They don't require any fertilisers, but adding a bit of compost when you first plant them will help them while they put all their energy into root growth. Once you've planted your Buddleja, water it well and continue to water while the plant grows. But, do not over-soak the soil once the Buddleja is fully grown, water it sparingly or when you notice the leaves looking a little bit droopy. Too much watering can kill the plant. Usually, when leaves turn yellow, you know the plant is stressed; unfortunately, this can be caused by too much or too little water."
"Do not prune your Buddleja if you want a wild-looking garden, but do remove the spent flower heads to prevent the seeds spreading everywhere. However, if it's the beautiful displays of flowers and a tidy bush you are after, then the plant will need space to breathe. Cutting out some branches to prevent overcrowding and cutting off spent flowers will encourage new flowers to grow."
"The butterfly bush can grow to over 10 feet tall and nearly as wide. Most gardeners will prune a Buddleja once a year, ideally in early spring once there is no chance of frost. Depending on where you live in the UK, frosty mornings can happen up to March in the south, or as late as May the further north you live."
"Personally, I have a specific approach to pruning my Buddleja. I prefer to cut all but one of my bushes back to knee height in spring. This encourages vigorous new growth and an abundance of flowers later in the season. The one I leave tall? I simply cut out crossing or dead branches to keep it tidy. This way, I get the best of both worlds: a tall, natural-looking bush and several shorter, flower-packed ones."
"And let me tell you, the scent is divine! I often find myself with my face buried in the flowers, just soaking it all in. It's also a joy to see young children pausing to admire the blooms when walking to school with their parents. Plus, I've noticed a significant increase in moths visiting my garden in the evenings, adding to the spectacle. And of course, there are the butterflies, along with birds like blue tits and chiffchaffs, busy hunting for aphids and caterpillars among the leaves."
"You can find Buddleja in most garden centers and online. If your neighbour has one, you could ask if you could take a cutting. You never know, it could be a great opening to having a cuppa over the garden fence while sharing gardening stories, tips, and cuttings - what better way to get to know your neighbours?"
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