‘Blue Chip’ is the first cultivar to be released to commerce in a new miniature butterfly bush series named LO & BEHOLD through the plant breeding efforts of Dr. Dennis Werner at NC State University. Buddleja ' Blue Chip ' grows in average, well-drained soils in full sun. It may become weedy with diminished flowering if not grown in full sun. Like all Buddleja , it requires moderate moisture and may suffer from root rot if the soil is consistently wet. When planted in clay soil, the soil should be amended with compost and the base of the plant should be planted slightly above ground level. 'Blue Chip' may die back to the ground in colder zones but will resume growth from the crown the following spring. In regions where above-ground shoots survive over winter, pruning to the ground in late winter will produce more vigorous growth in the spring, give the plant a better shape, and produce more flowers. Deadheading encourages additional blooms but is not otherwise necessary. 'Blue Chip' plants produce few seeds and infrequently sucker in the garden. This non-invasive variety is approved for sale in Oregon and Washington More information on Buddleja Lo & Behold® Group .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Often confused withBuddleja Lo & Behold® 'Blue Chip Jr.'
Fills a similar nicheBuddleja Lo & Behold® 'Blue Chip Jr.'Buddleja Lo & Behold® 'Lilac Chip'Buddleja 'Miss Violet'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Dense; Mounding; Rounded
Foliage
Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are willowy and elliptic. The upper surfaces are gray-green and the lower surfaces are covered in a white pubescence
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Long Bloom Season
Flower form
Panicle
Flower detail
Violet-Blue flowers with an orange-yellow dot in the center grow in spike-like terminal and axillary clusters. The inflorescences are very dense and shortened as compared to the typical Buddleja.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
‘Blue Chip’ has small, distorted anthers, and low pollen production. Although ‘Blue Chip’ does show some evidence of seed production, it is very low fertility and effectively sterile.