Buddleja davidii 'ILE DE FRANCE'

Buddleia is better known as butterfly bush. The reason is obvious – from early summer when it starts blooming until early autumn it produces large, scented flowers that attract winged insects, mostly butterflies. If you are not yet aware of how many butterfly species you can get in your part of the world get one buddleia and in a few weeks you can apply for a doctor’s degree in butterflies!

Ile de France is a butterfly bush variety which dates back to 1930 when it was bred and introduced by Auguste Nonin in France. It bears 20-25 cm long lilac-like inflorescence of rich lilac-pink colour with orange throat. It is a fast growing, upright shrub reaching about 3m in no time. Deciduous leaves are lanceolate, pale green and hairy as they emerge, maturing to rich and glossy green.

Butterfly bush requires little care. Still, we strongly recommend hard pruning every spring to low permanent framework as buds begin to swell. Plant it in full sun, in well-drained humus-rich soil. It will die in boggy soil after winter. Though hardy to -27°C (USDA zone 5b) it performs better in warmer zones. We suggest buying older plants with woody framework for planting in colder areas.

Last update 21-07-2015