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Conservatory GreenhouseShrubs

Buddleja officinalis
  • RHS AGM

pale butterfly bush

Semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub about 2.5m tall, with dark green leaves, strongly felted grey-white beneath. Pale mauve-pink, yellow-eyed, strongly fragrant flowers produced in arching panicles, through winter into early spring.

© RHS
© RHS
© RHS
© RHS
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Pink Green Grey Silver
Summer Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Grey Silver
Winter Purple Pink Green Grey Silver
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Scrophulariaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Buddleja can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs, occasionally trees or scrambling climbers with simple leaves and panicles of small, tubular fragrant flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
W China

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How to grow

Cultivation

Needs full sun, well-drained soil and a frost-fee location. Ideal for a large conservatory or greenhouse. Can be grown on a warm, sheltered wall in particularly mild locations. See buddleja cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Prune back to a framework in spring; pruning group 6

Pests

Susceptible to capsid bug, caterpillars, figwort weevil, mullein moth and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus, fungal leaf spot, and virus diseases

Get involved

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