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Butterfly Tree Features
More commonly known as butterfly bush, Buddleja davidii garden plants are a species belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family. Native to Japan and China, they have a bushy habit and are grown for ornamental purposes. The branches start from the base, are erect and possibly decumbent. The foliage is slightly tomentose, bluish green in color, the shape is oval or elliptical. The peculiarity of the butterfly tree lies in its flowering, in fact the inflorescences produced in spring and throughout the summer season, have the ability to attract butterflies, thanks to the rich nectar produced by the large and colorful flowers. From white to red, orange to purple, there are many shades of the different varieties of
Cultivation of butterfly bushes
Used and cultivated for the creation of flowering hedges, the Buddleja genus of garden plants does not require excessive cultivation care. They can easily grow in all types of soil, possibly well-drained and fertile. To grow exuberantly, butterfly bush needs exposure to light, both direct and indirect. This genus of plants is not afraid of cold winter seasons, and is also resistant to temperatures well below zero. The waterings must be regular and abundant in summer, they do not support the periods of dryness, whereas they must be reduced in winter. An organic fertilizer for flowering plants, administered periodically, in autumn and spring, to be diluted in irrigation, helps the
Pruning and Propagation of Butterfly Bush.
To obtain abundant flowering, the butterfly bush should be pruned at the end of the winter season. The intervention must be drastic and the branches must be shortened by more than a third, in relation to their length. Also, all dry and damaged branches must be removed, to allow light to penetrate more easily. Butterfly bush can be propagated by planting the seeds in March, in containers made of peat soil and sand. New plants can be planted permanently the year after planting. Another butterfly bush propagation technique is to make semi-woody cuttings to practice in the fall. Cut apical tips should be treated with rooting powder and placed in the pots. Protected from sudden temperature changes, the
Lanceolate and dark green foliage, colored inflorescences, orange and yellow, for the butterfly bush of the erect variety Buddleja globosa. The selection known as Buddleja davidii var. Magnificent, it is characterized by the large size of the flowers, gathered in very long panicles, compared to all the other varieties of the species. Lightly scented, they are dark purple. Light green foliage for the variety called Buddleja alternifolia, the production of lilac and delicately scented inflorescences begins in spring and continues throughout the summer season. Small, highly fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in bright yellow hues characterize a selection of garden plants called Buddleja x weyeriana Honeycomb.