Orange Eye Butterflybush

Buddleja davidii

Native to:
China

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Scrophulariaceae
Genus:
Buddleja
Species:
Buddleja davidii
USDA Symbol:
BUDA2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub
Height:
500 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
Bloom Colors:
purple, pink, white, red, blue, lavender
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Variable checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), White-shouldered bumble bee (Bombus appositus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) Hummingbirds: Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin), Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) Moths:Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe), Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis) Butterflies:Atalopedes Scudder, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Great Spangled (Argynnis cybele), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Small White (Pieris rapae), Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
butterflies, bees, hummingbirds
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fragrant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, rocky or sandy soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to riverbanks and rocky slopes

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Seeds require light for germination and should be surface-sown. Germination is typically fast and reliable at warm temperatures.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months Requires light or the seed is very fine. Surface sow and expose to light. * light requirement increases as seeds dry (about 1 year )

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society