Butterfly Bush Buddleja davidii Marbled White = 'Markeep' (English Butterfly Series)

👤 Non-toxic to humans
🐾 Non-toxic to pets
🌸 Blooming
🍪 Not edible
‍🌱 Easy-care
butterfly bush [Marbled White]

ABOUT

The Buddleja davidii Marbled White, commonly known as the Butterfly Bush, boasts an eye-catching appearance with distinct features that make it a favorite among gardeners and butterfly enthusiasts. This particular cultivar from the English Butterfly Series has a unique appeal due to its variegated foliage; the leaves exhibit a striking blend of green hues mixed with creamy white margins that can add a touch of brightness to any garden space. Flourishing at the end of the branches are the signature cone-shaped flower clusters of the Butterfly Bush. These are composed of tiny blooms that come together to form a lush, elongated plume. The 'Markeep' variety showcases flowers that are predominantly white, invoking the image of marbled elegance. When in full bloom, the plant becomes a magnet for butterflies, adding not only visual but also ecological value to its surroundings. The texture of the leaves is typically soft and slightly fuzzy to the touch, enhancing the overall tactile experience of the plant. As a part of the English Butterfly Series, the Marbled White Butterfly Bush is also known for its robust blossoming characteristic, ensuring a long season of dazzling flowers that can transform an ordinary garden into a sanctuary for butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. Its overall form balances both a bushy growth habit with an aesthetically pleasing structure, making it a versatile choice for garden beds, borders, or as a standalone specimen.

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Scrophulariaceae.

    • Synonyms

      Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac, Orange Eye.

    • Common names

      Buddleja davidii 'Markeep'

  • skullToxicity

    • To humans

      The plant commonly known as Butterfly Bush is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There is no significant toxicity reported for humans regarding accidental ingestion of the plant parts. However, it is always advised to be cautious and avoid eating ornamental plants as they are not intended for consumption.

    • To pets

      Butterfly Bush is generally regarded as non-toxic to pets. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning in pets such as dogs and cats from ingesting this plant. Nonetheless, it is recommended to prevent pets from consuming plants not meant for their diet, as individual animals might have different sensitivities or reactions.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • 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

    • Native area

      China

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Attracts Pollinators: Buddleja davidii, commonly known as Butterfly Bush, is well-known for attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects to the garden.
    • Easy to Grow: It is regarded as an easy-to-care-for plant that can thrive in a variety of soil types and climate conditions.
    • Drought Tolerant: Once established, the Butterfly Bush is drought-resistant, making it suitable for xeriscaping or gardens with low water availability.
    • Long Blooming: This plant has a long flowering season, often from early summer to the first frosts, providing long-lasting visual interest.
    • Fast Growing: The Butterfly Bush is a fast-growing shrub that can quickly fill in spaces in the landscape.
    • Wildlife Habitat: It provides a habitat and food source for wildlife, especially beneficial insects and caterpillars.
    • Decorative: With its lush foliage and conical flower clusters that come in a variety of colors, it adds aesthetic appeal to any garden space.
    • Versatile Landscaping: It can be used in a range of horticultural settings, including borders, foundation plantings, and as a focal point in garden designs.
    • Low Maintenance: This plant requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for gardeners of all skill levels.
    • Privacy and Screening: Due to its size and density, it can be planted as a hedge or screen to provide privacy or block unwanted views.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    • This plant is not used for medical purposes.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • Buddleja davidii can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, offering a range of colors from greens to yellows depending on the mordant used.
    • The wood of the butterfly bush is sometimes used for making small handcrafted objects such as knitting needles or crochet hooks due to its hardness and fine grain.
    • Floral industries may use the dried flowers of Buddleja davidii in arrangements for their long-lasting quality and aesthetic appeal.
    • Hobbyist beekeepers plant Buddleja davidii to attract bees and enhance the pollination process for nearby fruit and vegetable plants.
    • The plant can be used in butterfly gardens to provide an educational opportunity for schools and nature programs, showcasing the life cycle of butterflies.
    • Its dense foliage can be utilized in garden landscapes to create privacy screens or windbreaks.
    • Buddleja davidii can be planted alongside water bodies to help stabilize banks and prevent erosion with its root system.
    • In some regions, the branches might be used as a natural fencing material, woven together to create barriers for livestock or property lines.
    • Fiber artists and papermakers may incorporate the fibrous bark of Buddleja davidii into handmade papers for a unique texture and appearance.
    • Photographers and painters might use the vibrant and prolific blooms as subjects for artistic projects, capturing the essence of summer gardens.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The Butterfly Bush is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • aquariusZodiac Sign Compitability

    The Butterfly Bush is not used in astrology practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Transformation and Change: The English Butterfly Bush, as a magnet for butterflies undergoing metamorphosis, symbolizes the idea of transformation and the ability to change or adapt.
    • Attraction and Magnetism: This plant's capacity to attract butterflies en masse serves as a symbol for charisma, allure, and the power to draw others in with one's presence.
    • Renewal: Because butterflies are often associated with renewal and rebirth, the English Butterfly Bush represents fresh starts and new beginnings.
    • Beauty: The lush blooms of the Butterfly Bush symbolize beauty and grace, reinforcing the aesthetic appeal of both the plant and the creatures it attracts.
    • Healing: Traditionally, Butterfly Bush has been used in some cultures for its medicinal properties, symbolizing healing and well-being.

💧
Every 1-2 weeks
Water
☀️
2500 - 10000 Lux
Light
💦️
5%
Humidity
🪴
Every 2-3 years
Repotting
🌱️
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation
✂️️
As needed
Pruning

  • water dropWater

    For the Butterfly Bush, water the plant deeply once a week by giving it about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water, ensuring you reach the plant's roots. During hot, dry periods, you may need to water twice a week. It's important to allow the topsoil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. Always avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry and reduce the risk of disease.

  • sunLight

    The Butterfly Bush thrives in full sun, requiring a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. The ideal spot for this plant is in an open area, away from shade-casting buildings or trees, where it can receive unfiltered sunlight for most of the day to ensure vigorous flowering.

  • thermometerTemperature

    The Butterfly Bush is hardy and can survive in temperatures ranging from -20°F to over 100°F, but it grows best when daytime temperatures are between 60°F and 85°F. It is important to protect the roots with mulch in winter in areas where temperatures may drop below the minimum.

  • scissorsPruning

    Prune the Butterfly Bush annually in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cut the plant back to about a foot above the ground to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. Deadheading spent blooms during the growing season can also promote continuous flowering.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    Butterfly Bush 'Markeep' thrives in well-draining soil enhanced with compost or well-rotted manure. The soil should be moderately fertile and slightly alkaline to neutral, with an ideal pH range between 6.0 to 7.5. A mix of garden soil, compost, and a small amount of perlite or coarse sand can provide the drainage and nutrient levels suitable for this plant's growth.

  • plantRepotting

    Butterfly Bush 'Markeep' is typically grown in garden beds and doesn't require frequent repotting. In case it's grown in a container, repot it every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current pot to encourage healthy growth and prevent root-bound conditions.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Butterfly Bush 'Markeep' is not particularly humidity-sensitive and can tolerate the average outdoor humidity levels found in its growing zones. It generally does well in the ambient humidity of most temperate climates and does not require special humidity adjustments.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Place in bright light, by south window, water when topsoil dries out.

    • Outdoor

      Full sun, sheltered spot, water regularly, prune in spring.

    • Hardiness zone

      5-9 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    Butterfly Bush 'Marbled White' begins its life as a seed, which upon germination emerges as a seedling with a small set of true leaves. As it enters the vegetative stage, the plant develops a woody stem and an increasing number of leaves, eventually forming a shrub. The next stage is the flowering period, where it produces white-colored flowers with a marbled appearance that are highly attractive to butterflies and other pollinators during the warmer months. After pollination, the flowers develop into small capsules containing seeds. The plant then enters a period of dormancy during colder months, where growth slows or stops. With the return of warmer weather, the plant breaks dormancy, resumes growth, and the cycle repeats with new vegetative growth and subsequent flowering.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Spring-Early Summer

    • The most popular method of propagating the Butterfly Bush 'Marbled White' is through semi-hardwood cuttings. This typically takes place in late summer, after the plant has flowered and the new growth has begun to mature and harden slightly. Cuttings should be about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long and include several leaf nodes. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth. The prepared cutting is then inserted into a well-draining potting mix or propagating medium and kept moist until roots develop, which can take several weeks. During this time, providing a humid environment can be beneficial to prevent the cuttings from drying out before they establish roots.

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