Butterfly lilac ∗ The 10 best care and planting tips (Buddleja)

Origin and Distribution

Of the Butterfly lilac belongs to the figwort family (Scrophlariacae) and includes around 100 different species. These are in the tropical and subtropical areas of both American continents as well Asia and Africa spread, where they are mainly in dry, warm and sunny locations occurrence. Not all species are used as ornamental plants, especially the majority of them Buddleia in this country is not hardy at all. Incidentally, the Buddleja species are not related to the common lilac, despite their resemblance. From a botanical point of view, this belongs to the olive family (Oleaceae).

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Particularly popular for the home garden is the robust and sufficiently hardy species Buddleja davidii, which also has the greatest variety of all butterfly lilacs. In addition, the alternate or Chinese butterfly lilac (Buddleja alternifolia) used in borders and in the front garden, whereas the distinctive yellow buddleia (Buddleja x weyeriana) is not frost hardy and therefore only outdoors in mild winter regions allowed. However, all of the mentioned butterfly lilacs are ideally suited for a pot culture, as long as the variety is not too vigorous.

The butterfly lilac makes both in colorful herbaceous borders, in a bed with colorful summer flowers, along dry Embankments as well as a solitaire in the front yard. Let vigorous varieties with heights of up to three meters and widths of up to two meters They are also wonderful for planting hedges and for delimiting plots and garden areas to use.

Plant the shrub together with annual flowers, such as perennials Sedum plant or asters, bulb flowers or herbs such as sage, lavender or thyme. It is not only important that when putting the plants together for the borders, the colors with each other harmonize, but that the different species have the same needs in terms of location and care own.

Appearance and stature

Especially Buddleja davidii is very suitable for the Central European climate with its sometimes cold and severe winters. The species also scores with numerous cultivated forms in different heights and flower colors. Butterfly lilacs usually grow funnel-shaped and wide upright up to three meters in height, some varieties have a rather compact growth and only up to one and a half meters high will. The panicle-like flowers are at the end of the side shoots, which often tilt due to their weight.

The shoots of Buddleja davidii often freeze back in cold winters, but this is usually not a problem. Provided that the root network remains undamaged, the shrub sprouts again in spring and, due to its very rapid growth, quickly reaches the height of the previous year again. The species is evergreen, i. H. the green-gray leaves usually remain on the branches until the first frost and only then die.

Blossoms and flowering period

Most species and varieties of butterfly lilac do not show their abundant blossoms until July, but then - at least with appropriate care - well into autumn. The long panicles of flowers are so heavy that the branches bend under their weight. They also smell more or less strong depending on the variety, and the choice of flower colors is very large. The panicles bloom in different white, pink, red or purple tones, only yellow colors are reserved for the non-hardy yellow butterfly lilac.

In order to be able to enjoy the flowering period as long as possible, you should cut off dead shoots as soon as possible. This also prevents the formation of capsule fruits, which often contain numerous seeds. If you do not pay attention, you will be happy to sow these yourself and in the following year you will have to remove young butterfly lilacs from the whole garden.

Toxicity

Even if the most diverse moths love to feast on the sweet nectar of the butterfly lilac, unfortunately all parts of the plant are poisonous for humans and pets. The leaves and seeds in particular contain toxic substances, including saponins and glycosides such as Catapol and Aucubin. Therefore, never feed the clippings to your pets, including cattle or horses, and make sure that small children do not nibble on the leaves or flowers. If symptoms of poisoning occur such as headache, nausea, cramps, diarrhea and / or vomiting (it does not have to happen all at once!) please contact a doctor or veterinarian immediately on.

However, healthy parts of plants can be composted without hesitation.

Which location is suitable?

Since the butterfly lilac comes from warm and sun-drenched countries, it also feels particularly comfortable in the garden in such a location. The summer lilac is very comfortable in a hot location that is in full sun around noon, which is why you can plant it on a bright south-facing wall. Put the shrub in a full sun and sheltered place, with a bright spot if necessary Penumbra enough. However, it is then important that the Buddleja receives a few hours of direct sun in the morning and in the evening. But if it is too shady, the butterfly lilac stops growing and does not develop any flowers.
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Substrate / soil

The ideal soil for the butterfly lilac is well-drained, loose and only moderately rich in nutrients. The shrub likes to stand in a poor and gravelly substrate. The plant, on the other hand, does not tolerate loamy, heavy and wet soils, which is why you should plant the soil On the one hand, improve it by adding compost and gravel / sand if necessary and, on the other hand, ensure drainage should. In this way waterlogging cannot arise in the first place.

Pot culture

Frost-sensitive species of butterfly lilac, such as Buddleja globosa or Buddleja x weyeriana, should be cultivated in large pots and not planted in garden berries. Small variants of Buddleja davidii and other hardy butterfly lilac species can also be found cultivate very well in plant containers, provided the container selected for it is large enough and there is plenty of space for the roots offers.

The so-called dwarf butterfly lilacs such as 'Summer Lounge' or 'Purple Emperor' are particularly suitable for this. They reach heights of up to 150 centimeters and therefore also fit on narrow balconies. However, the following applies to all butterfly lilacs: Choose a large, wide and deep planter made of ceramic or clay. This offers the roots plenty of space and at the same time prevents the inside from heating up due to possible evaporation. Because the butterfly lilac may like sun and warmth, but thrives best if the roots are kept cool.

Fill in the planting perch with gravel and Expanded clay(€ 16.36 at Amazon *) mingled Potting soilYou should of course not forget the pot drainage: the drain hole at the bottom of the pot is mandatory so that excess water can drain away. The butterfly lilac has to be fertilized and watered regularly so that it neither dries out nor stands permanently with the roots in the wet. Between April and August you also provide the shrub with a liquid container plant fertilizer, which you only need to use lightly. The nutritional requirement of the butterfly lilac is only small. During the winter months, there is little watering, little fertilization and the plant is also overwintered frost-free in a cool and bright room, if possible.

Plant butterfly lilacs properly

Butterfly lilac is often pulled and offered in containers. When planting these specimens, make sure not to plant them deeper in the garden than they were before in the pot. If necessary, mark the relevant point with a pen.

Proceed as follows when planting Buddleja:

• Lift the plant out of the container, shake off the soil.
• Now place it with the root ball in a bucket filled with water.
• Let them soak in the moisture.
• In the meantime, dig a planting hole.
• This should be twice as deep and wide as the root ball.
• Bring an approx. a five centimeter thick drainage layer on the bottom of the planting hole, e.g. B. with coarse gravel.
• Mix the excavated material with plenty of compost and possibly gravel / sand.
• Plant the butterfly lilac. Carefully tread on the earth.
• Well muddy the root area.

To prevent premature drying out due to evaporation, especially in hot and dry times, you can cover the area of ​​the roots with bark mulch or another material.
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What is the best time to plant?

All species and varieties of butterfly lilac should not be planted in the garden until after the ice saints in May. It is ideal when the soil is already warmed up a bit and there are no more night frosts. Now the shrub can grow safely until the first frost.

The correct planting distance

Especially the varieties of the species Buddleja davidii, around three meters high and up to two meters wide, have plenty of space for themselves claim - especially since the bushes also grow very quickly and a plant spacing that is too narrow can quickly become a problem can. Solitary trees should be planted at a distance of at least 150 centimeters, for hedges and groups, on the other hand, between 80 and 100 centimeters are sufficient, depending on the variety. The dwarf variants require significantly less space for themselves.

Underplants

Since the butterfly lilac often remains bare in the lower area, you can plant it well with annual summer flowers, bulb flowers or perennials that remain short.

How do I transplant properly?

In May or June, if necessary also in early autumn, the butterfly lilac can usually be moved to a new location without any problems. You should only refrain from transplanting in the middle of summer, because the inevitable loss of roots can quickly cause the shrub to suffer from a lack of water. Incidentally, this is also the reason why plants to be moved always have to be cut back. And that is how it works:

• Cut back the butterfly lilac by about a third.
• Tie the shoots in the upper area with a ribbon or similar. ä. together.
• Be careful not to crush or injure the branches.
• Lift with a sharp one spade dig a ditch around the bush.
• Cut through longer roots.
• Loosen the root ball with the help of a Digging fork.
• Carefully lift out the whole plant.
• Put them back in a new location.
• Give it plenty of water to make it easier for it to grow.
• More watering is also important in the weeks after repositioning.

By the way, you should also mix the excavated plant hole with plenty of compost.
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Water the butterfly lilac

Even if freshly planted butterfly lilacs have to be watered well every now and then so that they grow better and Until then, they have not been exposed to drought stress, specimens that have already been established in their location only very rarely need water from them to the Garden hose respectively. the watering can. You can only water it if it is warm and dry for a longer period of time and / or the shrub shows signs of this. Buddleja kept in buckets, on the other hand, are dependent on a regular supply of the precious liquid, as they are not able to do so themselves. However, avoid waterlogging in any case, as this inevitably leads to root rot.

Since the butterfly lilac is very lime-tolerant, you can pour it with water from the tap without hesitation.

Fertilize butterfly lilacs properly

Not only in terms of water, but also in terms of nutrient supply, the butterfly lilac is quite undemanding. Provide planted shrubs with plenty of compost and a handful when planting and always after pruning Horn shavings,(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) to stimulate the subsequent new growth. If the Buddleja does not want to get into a blooming mood, a nutrient deficiency can be the cause. Eliminate this with a liquid universal fertilizer or with the more frequent supply of compost or manure. Only butterfly lilacs kept in planters must be given a liquid fertilizer for potted plants every two weeks together with the irrigation water.
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Cut butterfly lilacs correctly

Any pruning measures for butterfly lilac always depend on the respective species and variety. Buddleja davidii, for example, only develops flowers on the new shoots and should therefore be cut back drastically in spring: the gardener calls this “put on the stick”. In doing so, cap all parts of the plant to a height of 20 to 30 centimeters above the ground, following this measure Most winters will be necessary anyway: The species often freezes back in frosty temperatures. If possible, do this pruning in March, but no later than April.

However, other species of butterfly lilac, such as the Chinese Buddleja alternifolia, must not be pruned as much. You only thin out these species after flowering by cutting off branches that are too close together and dried out. However, be careful not to cut any new shoots, as the species will bloom on these in the coming year.

Regardless of the type of butterfly lilac, you should always cut back withered shoots. In this way, the shrub does not invest its energy in the formation of fruits and seeds, but instead sets new flowers.
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Propagate butterfly lilacs

If you particularly like a certain butterfly lilac, you should always propagate it using cuttings. Only in this way are the offspring actually single-variety and possess the same properties like the mother plant - after all, in principle it is genetically identical Clone. You can achieve the same effect if you plant sinkers instead of cuttings or if you extract cuttings from the clippings. The vegetative type of propagation works in the butterfly lilac without any problems according to this scheme:

• The best times to cut the cuttings are June and July.
• Choose young, semi-lignified twigs with no blossoms fully developed for this purpose.
• Whole woody branches are not suitable for cuttings, but as cuttings.
• Cuttings are ideally ten to 15 centimeters long.
• Remove all but the top two or three of the leaves.
• Cut this in half so that too much water does not evaporate over the leaves.
• Put the cuttings separately in pots with lean Growing substrate.(€ 12.99 at Amazon *)
• Always keep it slightly damp, but it must not be dripping wet.
• Put translucent sheeting on top to make a mini greenhouse improvisation.
• Cling film or a cut-off PET bottle, for example, are suitable for this purpose.
• Now place the pot in a bright and warm place out of direct sunlight.
• Don't forget: ventilate daily!

You can finally remove the protective cover when the cuttings develop the first new shoots. However, care for the young butterfly lilacs for the first winter, still frost-free, but cool and light, and plant them out in the coming spring.

Do you like surprises? Then sow in your own collected or purchased Buddleja seeds, sow them and see whether a new variety might even come out.
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Diseases and pests

The butterfly lilac is a very robust plant, which is rarely attacked by pathogens or pests. Should problems arise, it is usually due to care errors or the plant does not feel comfortable in its location. If Buddleja develops yellow leaves, this is usually an indication of excessive watering or even waterlogging. This shows up quickly by wilting and drying up only individual, later several shoots.

Species and varieties

The greatest variety of varieties is found in the popular Buddleja species B. davidii, the numerous variants of which look very different in terms of growth and color. For example, these cultivated forms are nice for the home garden:

• 'Adonis Blue': dark blue, very beautiful flower color
• 'African Queen': violet-blue flower panicles, bright color
• 'Black Knight': dark purple flower panicles, very dark color
• 'Cardinal': bright, dark pink panicles of flowers
• 'Empire Blue' blue-violet, light flower color
• 'Pink Delight': bright, light pink panicles of flowers
• 'Purple Emperor': purple-red, rather dark panicles of flowers
• 'White Bouquet': bright, pure white flower color

The only yellow flowering butterfly lilac is the 'Sungold' variety of the yellow summer lavender (Buddleja x weyeriana).