Buddleja globosa - Orange Ball Tree

Buddleja globosa, commonly known as the Orange Ball Tree Butterfly Bush, is a botanical species native to South America (Peru, Chile, and Argentina) recognisable by its small orange-yellow flowers in the form of little balls grouped in loose panicles. The bush forms a large rounded shrub over time, adorned with large semi-evergreen dark green leaves in winter. Despite its origins, this plant is hardy enough to be grown in many regions with moderate winters and not-too-dry summers. And like all other buddleias, its sweetly scented flowering attracts butterflies.

The globular buddleia was introduced to Europe in the 18th century from South America. In its native lands, it grows on mountain foothills, regularly watered by rain, in open environments, sometimes at high altitudes. Like all Buddleias, this species belongs to the Scrophulariaceae or Buddlejaceae family, depending on the classification. It is well adapted to our oceanic climates. Buddleja globosa displays a bushy and rounded habit, its growth is quite fast. It reaches a height and width of 3 to 4 m at maturity, sometimes less, depending on the growing conditions. Its leaves are ovate, tapering to a point, 20 cm long and 7 cm wide. They are dark green with a velvety underside. The foliage persists if temperatures do not drop below -10°C. Flowering occurs from May to June-July, with tiny tubular flowers, grouped in round panicles, 2 cm in diameter, exuding a pleasant honey fragrance. They are carried in large airy corymbs, of 5 to 10. This robust and adaptable shrub appreciates well-drained soils, tolerates limestone soils, and adapts to various climatic conditions, including coastal areas. However, it does not tolerate the dry and hot Mediterranean climate. The crown of a mature plant can survive a brief frost of around -14°C, in well-draining soil. If the bush regrows from the crown, it will not flower that year. Unlike Buddleia davidii, this species is not invasive.

Use your globular buddleia in an informal hedge, in a flower bed, associated with other shrubs that flower simultaneously or at different times. Consider evergreen ceanothus, brooms, silvery shrubs like the coyote willow or Elaeagnus commutata 'Zempin', Buddleia alternifolia another original butterfly bush, or ornamental crabapple trees...