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.
How to care for Buddleja Lochinch:
Prune back hard in March, removing all of the previous year's growth to three or four buds.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
2.5m
Eventual spread:
3m
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
-
This shrub is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.