Pruning Buddleia

We can compare notes next year @wiseowl .

 

Have you grown any of the B. x weyriana varieties @NigelJ, like "Sungold" ? It seems to have a longer flowering period than B. globosa and I wondered which of the two would be a better choice. (I have previously grown B. globosa and B. alterifolia as well as B. davidii varieties.)

 

I have a B x weyriana, but I don't know which variety it is so I cannot really answer the question @Plantminded it does flower for most of the summer into autumn.

 

B davidii varieties flower on new wood grown that year so if you don't prune them back the flowers are up in the air on the ends of this new growth.

 

I grow quite a few buddleia varieties and although my favourite is B. globosa it is also the most annoying because it flowers on old wood. It is the most amazing plant for bees but it has a habit of getting a bit to big in a good growing season and if you have a poor growing season and have whacked it back, it doesn't flower. We had this problem after the summer of 22 where it was pruned just after flowering but didn't flower in 23 (it flowered this year though).
I have sungold as well and it's far easier and longer flowering.

 

Thank you @NigelJ. I had the same experience as you with B. globosa @Thevictorian. Good to know that Sungold is easier and longer flowering, thank you.

 

I look forward to seeing what you get @NigelJ. I tend to avoid anything that could be a bit iffy, hardiness wise, as the climate here can be tricky for many plants that would be fine elsewhere. I like seeing those plants in other people's gardens though. Shifting things is part of the gardening process for me too - I get bored with some things as well, so it can change the appearance quite a bit when plants are moved. I can't resist doing cuttings too. Hopeless!

I don't like the colour of B.alternifolia @Plantminded , so have never grown it. I often fancy getting one of the golden B. weyrianas or globosa, but never seem to get round to it. Don't really have room for one anyway!
Your buddleia will thank you for that @wiseowl. As Nigel says, they flower on the new wood, so it's easy to miss them if they're all at the top. I have trouble reaching the flowers on the outside branches of mine for deadheading, if I leave them a bit longer than normal in spring. I need the loppers... and a ladder

 

@fairygirl I have a Crinodendron patagua that needs planting out, having arrived over the summer as a small root bound purchase; it's now growing well in a larger pot. There is also a Philadelphus purpurascens, one of the Buddlejas I think I have a cutting of taken last year and hopefully still labelled.

 

No, I didn't really like it either @fairygirl, too lax and verging on that pastel spectrum ! B. globosa wins as the best bee magnet .

 

@NigelJ well if you get it to flower regularly please let me know how! Mine is about 2m tall and has flowered once. I think the flower shape is interesting but if it doesn't start making a better show, it'll be out!

 

@CarolineL I certainly will let you know how it does.

 

There's a globosa growing along with a davidii [ tucked in behind the latter ] in the common ground outside a block of flats not far from me @Plantminded . Just a mixed border against the outer wall and a stretch of grass. I thought of taking some cuttings as the maintenance lads just shear everything pretty generally in late spring/early summer.
I don't have anywhere to put one though, even if it rooted/grew.