Buddleja alternifolia (Alternate-Leaf Butterfly Bush, Fountain Buddleja)
Michael's Opinion
A rarely seen, but show stopping plant. I have had one in my own garden for a number of years and although a plant to dismiss when not in flower (looks the part of the garden tramp) on my corner lot almost everybody who passes by when the plant is in flower will stop to admire it. It does not die back as severely as B. davidii, although the odd branch may do so. Still a spectacular plant for the back of the border, however do not crowd it since as you can see from the photos, its somewhat pendulous form captivates the garden when in flower.
Botanical Information
| Family | Scrophulariaceae |
| Genus | Buddleja |
| Species | alternifolia |
| Synonyms | Buddleia |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Shrub (deciduous) |
| Pronunciation |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 5-7 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 6 |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H5-H7 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | to -20 |
| Temperature (°F) | -20 |
| Height | 3 m |
| Spread | 3 m |
| Growth | Fast |
| Flowering Period | June, July |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | A semi-coarse formed, rough rounded formed shrub with willow like leaves. Flowers en masse, with clusters of blooms along the branches. |
| ID Characteristic | Lanceolate leaves and clusters of rounded flowers along its entire branch length. |
| Shape | Loosely rounded and somewhat unkempt. |
| Landscape | |
| Propagation | Harder to root from softwood cuttings than B.davidii cultivars. |
| Cultivation | Prefers loose loamy soil and a sunny position. |
| Pests | None of note. |
| Notable Specimens | The A.M. (Mac) Cuddy Garden, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, although poorly placed behind their greenhouses. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Dark beige, often shedding in long paper-like strips. |
| Leaf Description | Alternate, simple,lanceolate 3.5-10 cm long, dull dark green that take on a gray cast from far away which provides an interesting foliage colour |
| Flower Description | In the spring, flowers are bright lilac and fragrant in dense clusters. |
| Colour Description | No autumn colour of note. |
| Texture Description | Coarse textured and somewhat unkempt unless pruned. |
Photographs
Buddleja alternifolia 'Argentea'
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