Growing buddleia in a pot or in the garden

La Buddleja davidii, The scientific name for Buddleia is an ornamental plant introduced to Europe in 1865 for decorative purposes. In Italy, it is especially widespread in the North, where it was imported and later naturalized. Buddleia is named after the Reverend Adam Buddle, author of an important herbarium from the early 18th century.

Cultivation

Considered a weed due to its ease of adaptation and resistance to low temperatures, buddleia is a shrub that grows very quickly and can reach heights of over 2 metres. perfume Its flowers, similar to honey and vanilla, are an irresistible attraction for butterflies; for this reason it is commonly called "butterfly tree". Let's see how to grow it in balcony or garden to have a colorful and original outdoor corner.

Variety

Also known as "summer lilac," the buddleia plant has numerous varieties, differing primarily in flower color. The wild species of this shrub has more or less dark mauve flowers, and the numerous varieties that depend on it offer vibrant and varied colors ranging from reddish-purple to pink and from blue to violet.

There are many varieties of buddleia, but the best known are certainly the Buddleja japonica, with violet or lilac flowers, the Buddleja asiatica, with white flowers, the Buddleja madagascariensis, with yellow flowers and the Buddleja globose, which has globular inflorescences of yellow-orange colour.

Certainly, however, the most appreciated by gardeners and the most sold in our country is the Buddleja davidii, for its hardiness and ease of care: it is not afraid of frost, can withstand temperatures down to 15 degrees below zero, can be grown in a pot without effort and exposed to the sun, but can also tolerate partial shade very well. The species of buddleja "davidii" can reach up to 5 meters in height, and its flowers have all shades from purple to blue: purple-violet (as in the case of the variety Purple Prince), pink-lilac (Fascinating), blue-purple (Empire Blue) and lilac-blue (Nanho Purple).

How to plant

Buddleia flowers bloom from June to September, so it should be planted and planted in the winter. Growing it doesn't require any special care, as it's a low-maintenance plant, but the first thing to do is check the soil type. It adapts to heavier soils, but you need to pay attention to drainage, as the plant is very sensitive to stagnant water.

When to plant

The shrub is planted in winter, from October to April, and can be found in any reasonably well-stocked nursery. Regarding exposure, the plant prefers sunny locations and doesn't require much watering. As regards the correct watering of the Buddleia, in fact, it is necessary to proceed with great caution, since this shrub does not like excessively moist soil, as mentioned.

Cultivation in pots

Growing buddleia in a pot isn't difficult: just choose a 40-50 cm pot to accommodate a medium-large shrub, fill it with soil and a handful of fertilizer or a shovelful of composted manure, and plant the plant. Finally, it's a good idea to press the soil at the base of the shrub, forming a hollow, and water generously (about 15-20 liters of water).

The procedure is the same even if you decide to plant the Buddleja on a terrace, in the garden or in any place that allows it to be planted directly in the ground.

Flowering

The flowers of this plant bloom in summer, from June to September, and are rich in nectar and very colorful, ranging from pinkish white to purple. The flowering It appears as a cluster of small flowers, and its intense honey-and-vanilla scent attracts butterflies. It's beautiful to look at and easy to care for.

Cure

As mentioned, Buddleia is not a very demanding plant, and the advice for keeping it always beautiful and lush is simple: first of all it is a good idea to water the buddleia during the first summer to promote its growth and rootingBuddleia is a really easy plant to care for and manage, even for those with the proverbial black thumb. It can adapt to any type of soil, except waterlogged soil, as well as all climatic and environmental conditions. One essential precaution, however, is to provide it with all the sun it needs, avoiding shading it with other plants, otherwise it risks drying out and dying.

To recap, then, the things to do to ensure that the buddleia is always in bloom and beautifies the garden, balcony or terrace as it should be, are few and simple, but essential:

• Give her aloneIf you keep it in too much shade, or overshadow it with other plants, you risk it drying out or dying. Or you risk it flowering infrequently, with few flowers and a gaunt appearance;
• Be careful of the terrain: water must absolutely not stagnate too much, otherwise the shrub will die;
• Water it for good during thesummer to encourage its development during the winter;
• Give her spaceWe always take into account its horizontal and vertical development. Buddleia can reach up to 5 meters high, in fact, it is better to leave adequate space on the sides of the same, so that it is not "compressed" or takes away space from other plants grown nearby.

Pruning

To maximize flowering, drastic pruning is required every year, in February-March. To perform this pruning, remove all the previous year's lateral shoots to 10-15 cm from the base. The idea is to eliminate any weak branches and those growing in the center of the plant to maintain an airy and balanced growth habit.

Finally, if you want to save a buddleia that is too bulky or neglected, you can do so by drastically pruning the branches during the winter to 40/50 cm from the ground.

Problems and remedies

Read also:

• The most fragrant plants in summer
• Cosmea: the plant that gives flowers all summer long.
• Gladiolus: the flower that brings joy
• Hydrangeas: how to grow and care for them
• How to grow erigeron

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date. Click here!