This shrub is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: July to September
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Much maligned for its habit of colonising railway sidings, buddleja can be a fabulous addition to a sunny border, with dramatic, fragrant flowers that are attractive to butterflies and other beneficial insects. Pruned hard in spring, this variety produces clusters of sweetly scented, orange-eyed, violet blue flower spikes on arching stems that last for weeks. The grey-green pointed leaves mature to deep green and may be retained during milder winters. Remove faded flower-spikes after flowering and the plant is likely to produce a second flush. Deadheading the buddleja will encourage it to produce more flowers and stop any unwanted seedlings.
  
  
• Garden care: Prune back hard in March, removing all of the previous year's growth to three or four buds.