Chinese Butterfly Bush

Buddleja fallowiana (BUD-lee-uh fal-low-ee-AH-nuh)

Family: Scrophulariaceae Non-native Shrub (3-15 ft)

Chinese butterfly bush is a deciduous woody perennial shrub or tree that is native to Tibet and South-Central China. They are typically found in woodlands, on the edge of forests, or along stream banks in higher elevations. The shrub may grow up to 5 to 8 feet tall to 8 to 13 feet wide and has an arching habit, grayish-white wooly stems, velvety, grayish-green leaves, and white to pale lavender blue flowers that are arranged in a panicle. The young shoots are covered in soft silvery downy hairs. The specific epithet, fallowiana , honors George Fallow who was a a gardener at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. This plant is a member of the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). This shrub prefers full sun, moist well-drained soils, and is adaptable to most soil types. This plant is drought and pollution tolerant. It requires protection in cold winters, or it may die back to the ground. It will usually grow back the following spring. Prune it back hard every spring to encourage new bushy growth. Propagate it by using softwood cuttings in the spring. This species is very similar to B. davidii ; however, this species is less hardy, the leaves are more silver in color, and there is a a denser amount of wooly hairs covering the stems, leaves, and buds. It is also slower-growing and less vigorous. Its flowers closely resemble B. davidii and are white, lilac, pale blue, or light purple with a orange center. A number of hybrids have been developed between these two species including 'Lochinch,' 'West Hill,' 'Bishop's Violet,' and 'Mayford Purple'. The Chinese Butterfly Bush has great foliage interest with gorgeous silver leaves that contrast well with other darker green plants in the landscape. Consider this shrub for a cottage garden, as border planting, or along a wall border for protection in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 to 9.. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems : Monitor for aphids capsid bugs, caterpillars, earwigs, figwort weevils, and spider mites. This shrub may be susceptible to honey fungus, leaf spot, and viral diseases. It can be weedy. More information on Buddleja .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 63 attributes.