Grow these beautiful butterfly-magnets, even when space is tight
Commonly known as butterfly bushes, buddlejas are grown for their honey scented, colourful blooms that brighten up the summer garden and attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. However, given that many grow between 2.5–3m in height, with an even greater spread, they have a reputation for being shrubs suited to larger gardens. The good news is that in recent years, plant breeding has given us lots of varieties that are more compact or have a habit that makes them more suitable for smaller spaces.
A bit of history
A member of the Scrophulariaceae plant family, buddlejas are native to Asia, Africa and the Americas. The first to arrive in Britain was an evergreen, tender species from the Caribbean that was discovered by Scottish botanist William Houston and sent to the Chelsea Physic Garden in the 1730s. Some 20 years later, this species with greenish flowers was named Buddleja americana by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus – the plant’s name honoured the Reverend Adam Buddle, a cleric and naturalist from East Anglia, who died in 1715.
Modern breeding
Up until the early noughties, the majority of buddlejas formed tall, bulky plants but that all changed in 2008 with the introduction of ‘Blue Chip’, dubbed the world’s first true dwarf buddleja. Only growing to around 60cm in height, it was bred at North Carolina State University in the USA, and was the founding member of the ‘Lo and Behold Series’ of colours. The following year, Thompson & Morgan got in on the act with ‘Buzz Magenta’ and ‘Buzz Lavender’, with more shades added in subsequent years. A flurry of buddlejas suitable for smaller spaces have dropped since then, including the ‘Butterfly Candy’ and ‘Flutterby Petite Series’, along with individual varieties, such as B. pikei ‘Unique’, bred by renowned plantsman Peter Moore.
How to grow them in pots
Due to their size, compact buddlejas are perfectly suited to life in containers. Set them in pots that are at least 30cm wide and fill with soil-based compost, such as John Innes No.3, fortified with controlled-release fertiliser granules. Water plants regularly during the growing season and ensure the compost never dries out, especially during dry, sunny periods. Move plants into slightly larger containers every two to three years in early spring or use a technique called top dressing to keep them in good shape. Carefully scrape away the top few centimetres of compost, along with any weeds and algae, stopping when you reach the mass of roots that flare out near the crown of the plant. Replace with fresh compost mixed
