Pink Butterfly Bush Buddleja colvilei 'Kewensis'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

Buddleja colvilei 'Kewensis', also commonly known as the butterfly bush, is a captivating plant that boasts numerous attractive features in its appearance. Characterized by its luxuriant foliage, the butterfly bush has leaves that are large, elongated, and have a slightly wrinkled texture, presenting an intense green color that adds a lush backdrop to its vivid flowers. The inflorescence of Kewensis is particularly striking. It blooms with clusters of deep pink, almost magenta flowers that hang in pendant, tubular bunches, resembling a lilac-pink cascade. These flowers are endowed with a velvety texture and have a distinct, sweet fragrance that is renowned for attracting butterflies and other pollinators, hence the common name butterfly bush. The blooms of the butterfly bush are complemented by the buds, which before opening, appear as contrasting points of a darker pink or reddish hue, adding further dimension and interest to the already stunning floral display. The plant's overall form is gently arching, the branches reaching out and slightly drooping under the weight of the magnificent floral clusters, creating a graceful and welcoming presence in any garden setting. In conclusion, Buddleja colvilei 'Kewensis' is a magnificent specimen with its prominent, pendent clusters of deep, velvety pink flowers, rich green foliage, and a sweet scent that can turn any garden into a haven for both the eyes and the native wildlife.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Scrophulariaceae
- Synonyms
  Kewensis Butterfly Bush, Himalayan Butterfly Bush
- Common names
  Buddleja colvilei 'Kewensis'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Buddleja, commonly known as Butterfly Bush, is not widely recognized as a toxic plant to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning from Buddleja colvilei 'Kewensis' for humans, which means it is generally considered safe. However, as with many plants, it is advisable to avoid ingesting any parts of the plant, as they are not intended for human consumption and their effects are not well-studied. If any part is ingested and symptoms do occur, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
- To pets
  Butterfly Bush is not known to be highly toxic to pets. Buddleja colvilei 'Kewensis', a cultivar of Butterfly Bush, is not reported to cause severe symptoms of poisoning in pets such as dogs and cats. However, it’s generally recommended to prevent pets from ingesting plants, as they are not part of their normal diet, and could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset or an allergic reaction in some animals. If a pet does ingest Buddleja and any concerning symptoms arise, it would be best to consult a veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Semi-deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  8 feet (2.4 meters)
- Spread
  6 feet (1.8 meters)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  7
- Native area
  Himalayas

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators: The plant is known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which helps pollinate surrounding plants.
- Ornamental Appeal: With its long panicles of deep pink to magenta flowers, Buddleja colvilei 'Kewensis' adds vibrant color and aesthetic value to gardens and landscapes.
- Scented Flowers: The flowers of this Buddleja emit a pleasant fragrance, adding a sensory dimension to the garden experience.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, the plant has a degree of drought tolerance, making it suitable for drier climates or water-wise gardens.
- Fuss-free Maintenance: It requires minimal maintenance once established, making it a good choice for gardeners who prefer low-maintenance plants.
- Privacy and Screening: With its bushy growth habit, it can be used to provide privacy or screen unsightly areas when planted in groups.
- Fast Growth: The plant grows relatively quickly, which can be advantageous when trying to establish garden structure or fill in spaces rapidly.
- Cold Tolerance: Buddleja colvilei 'Kewensis' is able to withstand some degree of cold, although it may not tolerate very harsh winters without protection.
- Outdoor Living Space Enhancement: By attracting wildlife and providing color, the plant enhances outdoor living spaces and can improve the overall enjoyment of a garden.
- Versatile Planting: Suitable for mixed borders, it can be incorporated into various garden designs, from cottage gardens to more formal arrangements.
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 colvilei 'Kewensis', commonly known as Himalayan Butterfly Bush, can be used in the creation of floral arrangements, providing a unique touch with its long, tubular, pink-red flowers.
- Insect attraction in gardens; this plant is highly attractive to butterflies and beneficial pollinators which can help to maintain the health of a garden ecosystem.
- Erosion control on slopes; the Himalayan Butterfly Bush, with its extensive root system, can be incorporated into landscaping where soil erosion is a concern.
- Privacy screening; due to its fast-growing and dense foliage, it can be used to create living fences or privacy screens in residential areas.
- Theme gardens; the Himalayan Butterfly Bush can be an integral feature plant in Asian-themed gardens due to its origin.
- Culinary decoration; while not a common practice, the flowers can be used as edible garnishes on special dishes after making sure they are safe and pesticide-free.
- Photography; the striking flowers of the Himalayan Butterfly Bush make it an excellent subject for botanical photographers and hobbyist garden photographers alike.
- Wildlife gardens; incorporating the Himalayan Butterfly Bush provides a nectar source for native butterflies and can help support local biodiversity.
- Educational purposes; this plant can be used in schools or educational programs to teach about pollination and the role of butterflies in ecosystems.
- Artistic inspiration; artists may be inspired by the vibrant colors and forms of the Himalayan Butterfly Bush and use it as a muse for paintings, drawings, or other artworks.

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
- Renewal: Buddleja, commonly known as the Butterfly Bush, often represents renewal because of its ability to attract butterflies, which are symbols of change, transformation, and new beginnings.
- Attraction: As the Butterfly Bush is well-known for drawing butterflies, it symbolizes attraction and magnetism—highlighting an individual's or space's capacity to attract others.
- Healing: In some cultural contexts, the Buddleja plant is used for its medicinal properties and therefore may represent healing and nurturing.
- Peace: The presence of butterflies and the serene environment that the Butterfly Bush helps create is often associated with peace and tranquility.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

50%

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Himalayan Butterfly Bush needs regular watering, especially during the growing season. Water it thoroughly, ensuring that the soil is evenly moist, but not waterlogged. It is best to water this plant when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, which may equate to watering once or twice per week, depending on weather conditions. A good approach is to provide the plant with 1 to 1.5 gallons of water each time, ensuring the water penetrates deeply into the soil to encourage deep root growth. During the winter months, you can reduce watering as the plant will enter a dormant phase and require less moisture.
Light
The Himalayan Butterfly Bush thrives in full sun to part shade conditions. It prefers to be placed where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, though it can tolerate some light shade, especially in hotter climates. The ideal spot for this plant would be in an east or west-facing garden that benefits from bright, indirect light in the afternoon.
Temperature
The Himalayan Butterfly Bush is hardy and can withstand a range of temperatures, but it performs best in environments where the temperatures are between 60°F and 80°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to around 20°F but may suffer frost damage if temperatures drop lower. During the summer, ensure the plant is not subjected to temperatures above 90°F for prolonged periods as this can stress the plant.
Pruning
Pruning the Himalayan Butterfly Bush is essential for encouraging new growth and more abundant blooms. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Cut back the previous year's growth to about one-third of its length to promote a bushy form and increase flowering. Pruning should be done annually to maintain plant health and aesthetic appeal.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Himalayan Butterfly Bush flourishes in fertile, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix containing loam, leaf compost, and coarse sand in equal parts would create an ideal soil environment that retains moisture yet drains excess water efficiently.
Repotting
The Himalayan Butterfly Bush should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when it outgrows its current pot, to ensure it has enough room to grow and sufficient nutrients.
Humidity & Misting
The Himalayan Butterfly Bush prefers moderate humidity levels, typical of outdoor environments, without the need for additional humidity control measures.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, good air flow, and water when topsoil dries.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, and shelter from strong winds.
- Hardiness zone
  7-9 USDA
Life cycle
Pink Butterfly Bush (Buddleja colvilei 'Kewensis') starts its life cycle when the mature plant's flowers are pollinated, and seeds are formed and dispersed. These seeds germinate in suitable conditions, often requiring a stratification period to break dormancy. The seedlings emerge with their first set of true leaves and continue to grow, eventually forming a small shrub. As the shrub matures, it develops the characteristic woody stems and foliage, along with large hanging panicles of pink flowers that are attractive to butterflies and bees. After the flowering period, seeds are produced for the next generation. Finally, as a perennial, Pink Butterfly Bush may enter a period of dormancy in colder climates during winter, resuming active growth with the return of warmer temperatures in spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: The most popular method of propagation for the Buddleja colvilei 'Kewensis', commonly known as the Kewensis Butterfly Bush, is by semi-ripe wood cuttings. These cuttings are typically taken in late summer, when new growth has matured enough to be somewhat firm but still maintains a bit of flexibility. A cutting should be about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) long and include several sets of leaves. The bottom set of leaves should be removed and the cut end dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. Then, the cutting is placed in a well-draining potting mix, such as a mixture of peat and perlite. The pot should be kept in a warm environment with indirect light and high humidity until the roots have established, which usually takes a few weeks. It's important to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to prevent rot.