Butterfly Bush

can anyone tall me about a ButterflyBush.is it a specific plant or is it said in ganeral meaning to attract butterflies?cant remember where i heard it but it`s been on my mind to ask even though i feel a bit foolish.

 

sorry should have posted on general discussion

 

Hi, the 'butterfly bush' usually refers to Buddleia, as it is so attractive to insects. Loads of lovely varieties, all can grow quite big, and butterflies really do like them. I have got 3 and would like more!

 

thanks Liz.wish i could get my head round it all,Buddleia,Herbacious,Pelagonium-or is it parallelogram?HA!

 

Yep, well worth growing and they have a gorgeous honey scent. Whites, lilacs and deep purple varieties are available or, for something a little different you could try the orange ball tree (Buddleia globosa). As Liz said they can grow to a fair size if not pruned regularly (I just lop them down to about 2ft. once the leaves drop off in autumn and then re-shape in spring if required)

If you love butterflys they are a must-have in a sunny corner of the garden.

 

My favourites are 'Black Knight' & 'White Profusion', planted together so the contrasting flowers intermingle.

 

The varieties I have got are 'Black Night'- dark purple, 'Sundance'- yellow trailng flowers, not round like 'Globosa' , and a lovely very large white flowered unknown variety. The ones I would like are 'Alternifolia', trailing or weeping habit with small flowers all along its' stems, and 'Santana' a lovely variegated variety, slower growing than most, and prettier than 'Harlequin' the other variegated one. All mine have been grown from cuttings given to me, the oldest being 'Black Night' given to me 30ish years ago.

 

thanks everyone. is it an expensive plant and is it easily available or will i have to send away now so as to receive it at appropriate time?i love the sound of Sundance, it makes me feel happy.also do you think pigeons will gobble it up?i`m debating on having some over allotments where there are ALOT of pigeons .

 

Our favourite is Buddleia Weyeriana, bit like Globosa but better. Orange balls in clusters and the scent is wonderful, easy to take cuttings from too. Buddleias are not expensive plants at all and if you are going to plant some in your allotment then leave some of the flower heads on and let them self seed, you will have lots of babies start up and you can either give or sell them on for yourself or let a local charity or school sell them at their open days in the summer. Pigeons don't bother with Buddleias.

[ 19. January 2006, 06:14 PM: Message edited by: lisa0307 ]

 

make sure you get some of that pidgeon manure for your fruit trees/bushes