Buddleja madagascariensis

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Madagascar butterfly bush

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Madagascar butterfly bush RHS

Synonyms

Buddleja nicodemia

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Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs
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A strong-growing, lax evergreen shrub with white-hairy shoots, narrow dark green leaves white-felted beneath, and long slender panicles of fragrant orange-yellow flowers from autumn to spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Scrophulariaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
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
Madagascar

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in a well-drained, peat-free, loam-based compost in full light and with good ventilation. Water freely when in growth but more sparingly in winter. See buddleja cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

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