Butterfly Bush Buddleja davidii 'Darent Valley'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Buddleja davidii 'Darent Valley', commonly known as the Butterfly Bush, carries a graceful presence in the garden with its distinct features. It is adorned with elongated clusters of flowers that are a crisp white, attracting butterflies and other pollinators with their honey-like fragrance. The flowers, pushing forth in profusion during the blooming season, present a striking contrast against the backdrop of the plant's foliage. The leaves of the Butterfly Bush are narrow and elongated, with a pointed tip and a textured surface. They have a fresh green color, which provides a lush canvas beneath the white blooms. The plant's overall form is somewhat arching, with branches that splay out in a somewhat fountain-like display, lending it an air of casual elegance. In addition to its visual charm, the Butterfly Bush is also recognized for its ability to flourish in various conditions, making it a favorite among gardeners who seek a low-maintenance yet visually captivating plant. It is resilient and can bounce back well after pruning, encouraging a fuller and more vibrant display of its delightful blooms and rich green foliage.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Scrophulariaceae
- Synonyms
  Summer Lilac, Butterfly Bush, Orange Eye
- Common names
  Buddleja davidii 'Darent Valley'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Butterfly bush, the common name for Buddleja davidii 'Darent Valley', is not known to be highly toxic to humans. While it is generally considered to be non-toxic, consuming any part of the plant may cause mild stomach upset in some individuals due to the plant's bitter taste and mild irritants. However, no severe symptoms of poisoning or serious consequences have been widely reported.
- To pets
  Butterfly bush is also not recognized as a highly toxic plant to pets such as dogs and cats. Similarly to humans, ingestion might result in mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, due to the bitter taste and potential mild irritants present in the plant. Serious poisoning or life-threatening symptoms are not commonly associated with this plant when pets consume small quantities. However, it is always best to keep a watchful eye on your pets and discourage them from ingesting plants, as individual reactions can vary, and some pets might be more sensitive.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters)
- Spread
  4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  5-9
- Native area
  China

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts pollinators: Buddleja davidii 'Darent Valley', also known as Butterfly Bush, is highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.
- Ornamental value: It has beautiful, arching sprays of white flowers that add visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, the Butterfly Bush is quite drought-tolerant, making it a suitable choice for gardens in areas with low rainfall.
- Fast growth: It is a fast-growing plant that can quickly fill in an area, making it an excellent choice for new gardens or for covering bare spots.
- Low maintenance: The Butterfly Bush requires minimal care once established, making it a good option for gardeners with limited time.
- Cold hardy: Buddleja davidii 'Darent Valley' is cold hardy in many climates, allowing it to thrive in a range of garden zones.
- Deer resistance: It is generally resistant to deer, which can be beneficial in areas where deer predation is a problem.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Buddleja davidii, commonly known as Butterfly Bush, can be used for natural dyeing, where the flowers and leaves impart various shades to fabrics and yarns.
- In craft projects, dried Butterfly Bush flowers add a delicate touch to homemade potpourri, providing a light fragrance and a splash of colors.
- Enthusiasts of model-making might use the small branches of Butterfly Bush to create realistic miniature trees for landscapes and dioramas.
- Butterfly Bush can be included in floral arrangements, especially wildflower bouquets, for informal events and gatherings.
- As a tool for teaching botany and entomology, Butterfly Bush can illustrate symbiotic relationships between plants and pollinators in educational settings.
- The Butterfly Bush's fast growth habit and hardiness make it a candidate for erosion control in certain environments.
- During butterfly tagging and research activities, Butterfly Bush can be used as a lure to attract and identify various butterfly species.
- In photography, the vibrant Butterfly Bush flowers serve as a picturesque backdrop or subject for nature photography enthusiasts.
- By cultivating Butterfly Bush in a wildlife garden, one can create a specialized habitat for studying and enjoying native insect species.
- Garden designers may utilize the structural form of Butterfly Bush to create natural screens or hedges for privacy and wind protection.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Butterfly Bush is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Butterfly Bush is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Transformation: The butterfly bush, which is a common name for Buddleja davidii, is known to attract butterflies, symbolizing metamorphosis and transformation. It embodies the idea of growth and change.
- Rebirth: As the butterfly bush is a plant that can rejuvenate from hard pruning, it represents rebirth and new beginnings.
- Attraction: Known for its ability to attract a variety of pollinators, the butterfly bush symbolizes attraction and magnetism, reminding us of the power to attract good things into our lives.
- Conservation: The butterfly bush is often planted to support butterfly populations, which are important pollinators. It stands for conservation efforts and ecological awareness.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
For the Butterfly Bush, it is best to water it deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth. Typically, watering should be done once a week, providing about 1 inch of water which can be about 0.623 gallons per square yard of soil. During hot or dry conditions, you may need to water twice a week, whereas in cooler or rainy periods, less frequent watering is required. Adjusting watering to the season and current weather conditions is important. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure the soil is well-draining and allow it to dry out slightly between watering sessions.
Light
The Butterfly Bush thrives in full sun conditions, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It should be planted in a spot that receives unobstructed sunlight throughout the day for optimal growth and flowering. While it can tolerate some shade, too little light can lead to reduced blooming and a leggy growth habit. The ideal location is therefore a sunny border or an open area where it can receive ample light from morning to evening.
Temperature
The Butterfly Bush prefers moderate to warm temperatures and is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. This means it can survive minimum temperatures ranging from -20 to -10°F and is comfortable in summer temperatures well into the 90s°F. However, it performs best in temperatures between 60 and 80°F. It is not a tropical plant and may suffer if exposed to extreme heat or frost for prolonged periods.
Pruning
Prune the Butterfly Bush in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Pruning is essential to encourage bushy growth and to maintain a controlled shape. It also stimulates the plant to produce more flowers. Cut back the previous year's growth to about one-third of its size. The best time for this is after the last hard frost when the plant is still dormant.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Butterfly Bush prefers well-drained soil enriched with compost. A pH range of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for optimal growth.
Repotting
Butterfly Bush generally does not require frequent repotting. Repot every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and manage root growth.
Humidity & Misting
Butterfly Bush is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not require a specific humidity to thrive.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure full sun, prune for size, well-draining soil.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, well-draining soil, hardy shrub, annual pruning.
- Hardiness zone
  5-9 USDA
Life cycle
Buddleja davidii 'Darent Valley', commonly known as the Butterfly Bush, begins its life cycle when seeds germinate in early spring, requiring well-draining soil and full sun. Seedlings emerge and grow into young plants, developing a woody stem and leaves, and in the first year, they establish a strong root system. The Butterfly Bush typically enters a rapid vegetative growth phase in its second year, expanding its foliage and height significantly. By the end of spring or early summer, it produces conical clusters of fragrant flowers that attract butterflies and other pollinators. After the flowering period in late summer to autumn, the plant sets seed, which are dispersed by wind or wildlife. With the onset of winter, the Butterfly Bush enters a period of dormancy, during which above-ground growth dies back, especially in colder climates, but the roots survive to sprout anew the following spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: The Buddleja davidii 'Darent Valley', commonly known as the Butterfly Bush, is typically propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings, a method both effective and popular among gardeners. This usually takes place in late summer to early fall when the stems are mature but still flexible. Cuttings roughly 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) long are snipped from the current year's growth and the leaves on the lower half are removed. A rooting hormone can be applied to the cut end, which is then inserted into a well-draining potting mix. The cutting should be kept in a warm, humid environment to encourage root development without direct sunlight. Roots generally form in a few weeks, after which the new plants can be gradually acclimated to less humid conditions and eventually transplanted outdoors.