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Buddleja alternifolia Unique - Butterfly Bush

Buddleja alternifolia Unique
Alternate-leaved Butterfly Bush

4,3/5
62 reviews
11 reviews
10 reviews
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3 reviews

Struggling to grow, producing small leaves this year, but I'm not giving up hope!

Fabienne, 01/06/2024

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

This new buddleja is a smaller version of Buddleja alternifolia, not exceeding 1.2 m (3.9 ft) in all directions. With the same weeping branches adorned with small green-grey leaves, it is even more floriferous, transforming into a blue-mauve fountain from June to October. An undemanding and hardy bush that butterflies and gardeners will appreciate. Ideal for small gardens and flower pots.
Flower size
25 cm
Height at maturity
1.20 m
Spread at maturity
1.20 m
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, October to December
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Flowering time June to October
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Description

Buddleja alternifolia Unique is a newcomer in the world of butterfly trees, with a compact habit and beautiful floribundity. It is a more compact version of Buddleja alternifolia, with the same pendulous branches adorned with small green-grey leaves, but even more floriferous. From June to October, it transforms into a bushy fountain of blue-mauve. This amazing variety is easy to place in a small garden, within a free hedge, a low shrub bed, or in a large pot on a terrace.

 

Originating from Northwest China, Buddleja alternifolia is a deciduous shrub in the Scrophulariaceae (Buddlejaceae) family. Its bushy habit is slightly untidy but elegant, due to its long slightly arched branches. 'Unique' spontaneously appeared in 2009 in England in a sowing of hybrids derived from this species. It distinguishes itself by its smaller size, not exceeding 1.2 m (3.9 ft) in all directions, and by its long summer flowering, from June to October, on the current year's wood as well as on older branches. This plant does not produce pollen, so it does not self-sow. The fragrant lilac-coloured flowers are gathered in small rounded clusters along the branches. They attract a wide variety of butterflies. The foliage is almost silvery, as the upper side of the small narrow leaves is light green, while their undersides are almost white.

 

Very tolerant of soil, Buddleja alternifolia Unique is an elegant, robust, easy-to-grow plant that ages well. You can plant it on its own to enjoy its unique pendulous habit, which adds to its charm, or mix it with other low shrubs to create beautiful flowering hedges. Choose companions such as other buddleias ('Lochinch', 'Naho Blue', 'White Chip'), old or English roses (old rose Rosa Cuisse de Nymphe, Rosa Generosa Chantal Thomass rose), and repeat-flowering dwarf lilacs. It is welcome on terraces and balconies.

 

Buddleja alternifolia is named so because its leaves are arranged alternately on the branches. It produces a good amount of nectar, which will attract certain butterflies. Buddleia or Buddleja comes from the name of its discoverer, Reverend Adam Buddle, a 19th-century English botanist.

Buddleja alternifolia Unique - Butterfly Bush in pictures

Buddleja alternifolia Unique - Butterfly Bush (Flowering) Flowering
Buddleja alternifolia Unique - Butterfly Bush (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.20 m
Spread at maturity 1.20 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour mauve
Flowering time June to October
Inflorescence Cluster
Flower size 25 cm
Fragrance slightly scented
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Buddleja

Species

alternifolia

Cultivar

Unique

Family

Buddlejaceae

Other common names

Alternate-leaved Butterfly Bush

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference829061

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Planting and care

Easy to grow in any ordinary, deep and not too poor soil, Buddleja alternifolia appreciates sunny spots, and will flower for longer if the soil remains slightly moist, as it will produce new flowering shoots until late in the season. This plant tolerates drought once well established. Plant it in light, fertile, well-drained soil that is not too dry. It will even tolerate limestone. If pruning is necessary, it should be done in March. This buddleja flowers on the current year's wood, so you won't risk removing the upcoming flowers.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, October to December

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Well-drained, deep, fertile soil.

Care

Pruning instructions The bush only requires a single pruning in March, although you can let it grow freely. This Buddleja flowers on the current year's wood, so you won't risk removing the upcoming flowers.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March to April
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,3/5

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