Buddleia is of course not the same as buddleia: There are different species, of which Buddleja davidii and the Chinese buddleia (Buddleja alternifolia) are particularly common in German gardens. There are also around 100 other variations, although not all of them are winter hardy. These include the ball buddleia (Buddleja globosa) and the yellow buddleia (Buddleja x weyeriana).
Which buddleia varieties are the most popular?
Popular buddleia varieties include Buddleja davidii, with color variations in white, purple, light blue or pink, and Chinese buddleia (Buddleja alternifolia), which develops lilac-purple flowers. Both species are vigorous, robust and easy to care for and prefer sunny locations.
The most beautiful varieties of Buddleja davidii
Buddleja davidii is a very vigorous buddleia that grows between 30 and 150 centimeters per year under appropriate conditions and depending on the variety. Among its numerous varieties, flower colors can be found in white, violet, purple-blue, light blue or pink. The strongly fragrant flowers are arranged on multi-flowered panicles up to 30 centimeters long, upright or inclined depending on the variety. These develop at the ends of the branches in July to September.
| Variety | Flower color | Growth height | Growth width | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ‘African Queen’ | purple to violet blue | 200 – 300 cm | 150 – 200 cm | very slender panicles |
| ‘Black Knight’ | purple to dark purple | 200 – 300 cm | 150 – 300 cm | floriferous |
| ‘Dart’s Ornamental White’ | white | 200 – 300 cm | 150 – 200 cm | very rich flowering |
| ‘Empire Blue’ | light blue-violet | 200 – 300 cm | 150 – 200 cm | early start of flowering |
| ‘Fascinating’ | purple pink | 200 – 300 cm | 150 – 200 cm | particularly beautiful flower color |
| ‘Ile de France’ | blue violet | 200 – 250 cm | 150 – 200 cm | particularly dark flower color |
| Nanho Blue | violetblue | 150 – 200 cm | 100 – 150 cm | only grows to a height of approx. 150 cm |
| Nanho Purple | purple | 150 – 200 cm | 100 – 150 cm | only grows to about 120 cm high |
| ‘Niobe’ | purple violet | 200 – 300 cm | 125 – 175 cm | particularly long flowering period |
| Purple Emperor | dark purple | 100 – 150 cm | 100 – 150 cm | long and narrow panicles |
| ‘Pink Delight’ | silvery pink | 200 – 250 cm | 150 – 200 cm | beautiful flower color |
| ‘Royal Red’ | purple | 200 – 300 cm | 150 – 200 cm | late but long blooming |
| ‘Summer Beauty’ | purple violet | 200 – 250 cm | 150 – 200 cm | low and compact growth |
| ‘White Bouquet’ | pure white | 200 – 300 cm | 150 – 200 cm | squat panicles |
| ‘White Profusion’ | pure white | 200 – 300 cm | 150 – 200 cm | long and strong panicles |
Robust and easy to care for: Chinese buddleia (Buddleja alternifolia)
The Chinese or alternate buddleia is also a very strong-growing species, up to four meters high and just as wide. The shrub develops long, thin, widely spread and overhanging branches and grows best on the tops of walls and in large planters Validity. In June/July, purple, bitter-smelling flowers appear in numerous clusters about four to five centimeters wide along the entire length of the previous year's branches. The Chinese buddleia goes well with roses or other summer-flowering small shrubs such as bearded flowers (Caryopteris), blue rue orCombine silver bush (Perovskia) or finger bush (Potentilla). It prefers a sunny and dry location.
Tip
Buddleia prefers a rather dry and well-drained soil, but can tolerate a good shovelful of ripe compost when planting.