Buddleia alternifolia
Spring Blooming Butterfly Bush
Details
12' tall x 8' wide. The huge lavender flowers spikes are an astonishing 18" in length and drape gracefully over the bush in late spring. This is a very fast growing, cold hardy species of Butterfly Bush that shouldn’t be cut back in the spring like the more familiar Buddleia davidii cultivars. Give it plenty of room because it gets huge! Blooms on previous season’s growth. Prune after blooming is finished. (cutting propagated)| SKU | 27105 |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Spring Blooming Butterfly Bush |
| Botanical Name | Buddleia alternifolia |
| Zones | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun, Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade |
| Flower Color | Purple |
| Mature Height | 12' tall |
| Mature Spread | 8' wide |
| Bloom Time | Late spring to early summer |
| Ships As | Potted Plant |
| Planting Time | Spring / Summer, Fall |
| Soil Type | Clay Soil, Sandy Soil, Average Soil |
| Soil Moisture | Drought Resistant / Waterwise |
| Amount of Rain | 10 to 20", 20 to 30", 30 to 40", 40 to 50" |
| Advantages | Deer Resistant, Attract Butterflies, Attract Hummingbirds, Bee Friendly, Fragrant Flower / Foliage |
| Prohibited In | Oregon, Washington |
| Neonicotinoid-Free | Yes - Learn More |
| Ships to Hawaii, Alaska & Canada | No |
Planting Guides
The shrubs and trees we sell are 1-2 year-old seedlings. These young plants appreciate some extra attention during their first 3 years in your landscape.
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Preferred growing conditions:
- Check each species soil preferences before planting. Some do well in clay while others do not.
- Mulch with common mulching materials. As they get larger (2 ft. or more in height), thicken the mulch layer to a depth of 2-3 inches.
- Even xeric (waterwise) species will establish better and grow more quickly when given regular irrigation during the first 3 years in the garden. As they begin to reach maturity, watering frequency can be reduced to a good deep soaking every 10 to 14 days during the heat of summer.
- Plant in full sun or part sun depending on plant preference.
- Dig a wide but shallow hole and enrich the soil with ample amounts of compost and Yum Yum. This will help them to grow and mature more quickly. Special comments:
- Most native shrubs and trees are highly recommended for providing wildlife habitat (nesting spots, fruit or seeds for songbirds and mammals, nectar for pollinators).
- They are excellent for use to grow as natural (un-sheared!) hedges along fences, property lines and driveways. They live for many years once established. Garden Care:
- Fertilize in the fall with Yum Yum Mix and good quality compost. This is most important during the first 3 years in the landscape. Established plants don't need to be fertilized (unless growth is stunted by extremely poor soils).
- Where browsing animals (rabbits, deer and others) are a problem, it is advisable to protect young plants with a wire cage. These can be removed after 3-4 years in the ground.
- Mulching is essential to maintain the soil moisture these woody plants need to establish their deep growing roots. Be sure and replenish the mulch in fall and summer to keep it sufficiently deep.
View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
Shipping
Plant Shipping: Buy now and we will ship your order at the ideal planting time for your region. Fall shipping begins the week of September 4 (zones 3-4 first) and ends in early November. Expected ship week will display at checkout after you enter your zip code.
Most plant and bulb orders arrive within 2-6 days, or less, of leaving our greenhouses in Colorado. This prompt delivery is provided without additional express charges.
Grass Plugs & Seed: Most orders ship within 5-8 business days (all zones).
Gardening Goods:All non-plant items ship within 2-3 days.
Standard shipping costs are $4.99 and up, depending on the size of the order.
Reviewsby PowerReviews
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 3 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Accurate instructions (3)
- Hardy (3)
- Healthy (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Primary use:
- Personal (3)
Reviewed by 3 customers
Displaying reviews 1-3
Pros
- Accurate Instructions
- Hardy
- Healthy
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about High Country Gardens Buddleia alternifolia:
My two butterfly bushes have grown amazingly fast. The growth may be a little TOO fast, or maybe I just don't know how to prune it. Too many branches are too close to the ground and and the long branches are very limber. So, in the second summer, they still don't have an upright habit. I know the timing to prune on these is important for the next year's bloom, but I'm still hoping for something that stands taller and more upright.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Accurate Instructions
- Attractive
- Hardy
- Healthy
Cons
Best Uses
- Lawn
- Outdoors
Comments about High Country Gardens Buddleia alternifolia:
We have an area in our landscape that's too extreme for most plants. The plants we purchased from High Country have always been the hardiest plants for tough spaces. Out of the box this was a tiny twig, somewhat broken it looked sad (thumb sized) and we thought it might not make it. Be sure to give them the space required in the instructions. This grew to about 3ft tall and 4 ft wide in only a few months. I have no doubt next season it will fill the 8ft area and grow eventually to 12ft. as described. The instructions HCG gives are on point. Love them!
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Accurate Instructions
- Attractive
- Bees Love
- Hardy
- Healthy
- Hummingbirds Adore
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Height Provides Privacy
- Outdoors
- Patio
- Pool Area
Comments about High Country Gardens Buddleia alternifolia:
I bought these for their height and hardiness so as to hide a wood fence. Turns out they have also provide a measure of privacy AND they are unusually beautiful in bloom. They attract so many honey bees it sometimes sounds like the buddleia itself is buzzing . . :) . . The monarchs and the hummingbirds adore them as well!
- Primary use:
- Personal
Displaying reviews 1-3
Q & A
Suggested Companion Plants:
USDA Hardiness Planting Zones
To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.
- If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will survive the winter temperatures in your area.
- If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).
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