Butterfly Bush Buddleja 'West Hill'
ABOUT
The Buddleja 'West Hill', commonly known as Butterfly Bush, is a plant that is admired for its attractive and vibrant appearance. This cultivar is particularly noted for its lush foliage and remarkable flowers, which are the hallmark features of the plant. The leaves of the Butterfly Bush are typically elongated and pointed at the tips, presenting a lance-like shape. They have a delightful green hue that provides a lush background for the blooms. The real show-stopper is the Butterfly Bush's profusion of flowers. The blossoms form in conical clusters, which can be quite long and are made up of many tiny, tubular individual flowers. These clusters are frequently seen delicately arching due to their weight. The flowers of the 'West Hill' variety exhibit a rich, purple color, which can sometimes look almost velvety. As the name suggests, the Butterfly Bush is a magnet for butterflies, who are enticed by the flowers both for their nectar and the structure that is well-suited for feeding. Not only butterflies, but a variety of other pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds find this plant attractive, adding a dynamic element to its appearance as these creatures flit from bloom to bloom. The combination of these features—striking, colorful flowers, and lush foliage—makes the Buddleja 'West Hill' Butterfly Bush a visually impactful plant that can add a splash of color and a lively presence to any garden space where it is grown.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Scrophulariaceae
Synonyms
Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac, Orange Eye
Common names
Buddleja 'West Hill'
ToxicityTo humans
Butterfly bush, including the cultivar Buddleja 'West Hill', is generally not considered toxic to humans. However, it is always a good practice not to ingest plant material that is not meant for consumption as it could potentially cause gastrointestinal discomfort or an allergic reaction in some individuals.
To pets
Butterfly bush is also generally not recognized as toxic to pets. Nonetheless, animals may have sensitivities or allergic reactions to plants that are not widely regarded as poisonous. If a pet ingests a significant amount of butterfly bush, it could experience mild gastrointestinal upset. It is always advisable to keep an eye on your pets and prevent them from eating plants that are not part of their normal diet.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
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: Butterfly Bush (Buddleja 'West Hill') is known for its ability to attract butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects to the garden.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, the Butterfly Bush is relatively drought-tolerant, requiring less frequent watering compared to other garden plants.
- Low Maintenance: This plant typically requires little care beyond the occasional pruning to maintain its shape and encourage blooming.
- Fast Growth: The Butterfly Bush is a fast grower, which can quickly fill in an area or provide a large impact in the landscape within a short period of time.
- Pest Resistance: Butterfly Bushes are generally resistant to many pests, which helps reduce the need for chemical treatments in the garden.
- Long Blooming Period: The Butterfly Bush produces flowers from mid-summer to early fall, offering a long season of visual interest and support for pollinators.
- Ornamental Appeal: With its graceful arching branches and conical flower clusters that come in various colors, the Butterfly Bush adds ornamental value to any landscape.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Buddleja 'West Hill', commonly known as Butterfly Bush, can be used in floral arrangements to add a splash of color and texture, as their flower spikes offer an aesthetic appeal.
- The wood from Butterfly Bush can be used in making small crafts or decorative items, taking advantage of its fine grain when properly dried and treated.
- Due to its rapid growth, Butterfly Bush can be planted for temporary screens or hedges in the garden while waiting for slower-growing plants to fill in.
- Butterfly Bush can be used in educational settings for biology or horticulture studies, teaching students about plant growth, pollination, and invasive species management.
- Butterfly Bush's dense foliage can provide a natural shelter for small wildlife, such as birds, in the garden.
- Dried Butterfly Bush flowers can be used in potpourri mixes, adding fragrance and color.
- The branches of Butterfly Bush can be used as natural stakes in the garden for supporting other plants or marking plot boundaries.
- Butterfly Bush, with its attractiveness to butterflies and bees, can be placed strategically in orchards to enhance pollinator presence and activity.
- When pruned appropriately, branches from Butterfly Bush can be used in creating artistic garden structures or fence weaving.
- During blooming season, Butterfly Bush can serve as an outdoor photography backdrop, attracting photographers who wish to capture pollinators in action or the beauty of the flowers.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Butterfly Bush is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Butterfly Bush is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Transformation: The Buddleja, commonly known as the Butterfly Bush, is a magnet for butterflies which symbolize transformation and change.
- Renewal: As this plant attracts butterflies that are deep in their metamorphosis, it is also a symbol of new beginnings and renewal.
- Attraction: Given its capacity to attract a plethora of wildlife, the Butterfly Bush represents magnetism and the ability to draw in the desired.
- Protection: Buddleja is sometimes considered a symbol of protection because it provides a safe habitat and nourishment for butterflies and other insects.
- Immortality: Since butterflies are often seen as souls in many cultures, Buddleja could be associated with immortality and the spirit.
WaterButterfly Bush, including the Buddleja 'West Hill', requires regular watering but does not like to remain soggy. In the growing season, water it thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, approximately once a week, with about one gallon of water per plant. Reduce watering frequency in the winter, only ensuring that the soil does not completely dry out. During prolonged hot or dry periods, an additional watering may be necessary. Always water the plant at its base, avoiding overhead watering to prevent fungus and leaf problems.
LightThe Butterfly Bush thrives in full sun conditions and requires at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. An ideal spot would be an unobstructed southern exposure that ensures ample sunlight. However, it can tolerate some light shade, especially in hotter climates, but its flowering may be reduced.
TemperatureButterfly Bushes prefer a temperate climate and are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. They can tolerate temperatures as low as -20°F and high as 100°F but perform best in the range of 60°F to 90°F. Extreme temperatures may damage the plant, especially if frost occurs during its growing season.
PruningPruning the Butterfly Bush promotes healthy growth and abundant flowering. Prune in early spring before new growth begins, cutting back to about a foot above the ground. This practice, often called "hard pruning,” encourages bushiness and prevents it from becoming leggy. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers during the blooming season, will encourage additional blooms.
CleaningAs needed
SoilButterfly Bush 'West Hill' thrives in well-drained soil enriched with compost or other organic matter. The best soil mix should include equal parts of garden soil, peat or compost, and sharp sand or perlite to ensure good drainage. A slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0-7.0 is ideal for this plant.
RepottingButterfly Bush 'West Hill' generally does not need to be repotted often as it is typically grown outdoors. In the case of container growth, repotting every 2-3 years should suffice, or when the plant has outgrown its current pot.
Humidity & MistingButterfly Bush 'West Hill' is tolerant of various humidity levels and does well in the average outdoor conditions. It does not require any specific humidity adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light, minimal watering.
Outdoor
Plant in sun, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleBuddleja 'West Hill', commonly known as Butterfly Bush, begins its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination in early spring, develops into a seedling with basic leaf structures. As the plant enters the vegetative stage, it produces a robust system of stems and foliage, capitalizing on favorable growing conditions through spring and summer to increase biomass. The Butterfly Bush then enters the blooming phase usually by mid to late summer, presenting panicles of colorful, fragrant flowers that attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees. After pollination, the plant sets seed, which matures by late summer or autumn, completing the reproductive cycle. Throughout the autumn, the deciduous Butterfly Bush prepares for dormancy, shedding its leaves and retreating to a resting state during the winter months. With the return of warm temperatures in spring, the plant breaks dormancy and begins a new cycle of growth, continuing to mature and, if conditions allow, can live for several years.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagation for Butterfly Bush (Buddleja 'West Hill') is through semi-hardwood cuttings. This is typically done in late summer. Cuttings about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long are taken from new growth that is starting to firm up. Leaves near the base of the cutting are removed, and the bottom end is dipped in rooting hormone before being placed in a well-draining rooting medium such as a mix of perlite and peat. The cuttings should be kept moist and in a warm environment with indirect light until they root, which usually takes a few weeks. Once rooted, the cuttings can be potted up individually and grown on until they are ready to be planted out.
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