Butterfly Bush Buddleja auriculata

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The plant commonly known as the Weeping Sage carries a gentle elegance with its arching branches and lush foliage. It is adorned with dark green leaves that exude a pleasant aroma when crushed or bruised. These leaves have a slightly wrinkled texture, lending a tactile richness to the plant. The true charm of the Weeping Sage, however, is found in its blossoms. It produces clusters of creamy white flowers that resemble tiny trumpets, heralding an enchanting fragrance that intensifies in the coolness of the evening. These fragrant blooms are a magnet for a variety of pollinators, including butterflies and bees. The Weeping Sage's visual appeal is year-round, but it is during the blooming period that it reveals its full splendor, with the delicate contrast between its flowers and foliage creating a captivating display.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Weeping Sage, Ear-leaved Butterfly Bush, Orange Ball Tree
- Common names
  Buddleja auriculata, Nicodemia auriculata.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Buddleja auriculata, commonly known as weeping sage, is not widely known to be toxic to humans. There is limited information available on the toxicity of this specific species to humans, and it does not typically appear on lists of poisonous plants. Therefore, adverse effects from ingesting parts of this plant are not well-documented. However, as with any plant, individual allergic reactions or sensitivities to weeping sage are possible, and caution should be exercised when handling or ingesting plants that are not typically considered food.
- To pets
  Buddleja auriculata, or weeping sage, does not have a documented history of being significantly toxic to pets. Although it is not commonly listed as a toxic plant for animals, individual pets may still experience allergic reactions or sensitivity to the weeping sage. As with humans, caution is recommended as pets may have varying responses to plants that are not part of their usual diet. If a pet ingests weeping sage and exhibits unusual symptoms, it is advised to consult a veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  6-9 feet (1.8-2.7 meters)
- Spread
  5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators: Buddleja auriculata, also known as weeping sage, is known for its ability to attract butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects to the garden.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its pleasant fragrance and beautiful flowers that bloom in winter, weeping sage adds ornamental value to landscapes.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, this plant is tolerant of drought, making it suitable for water-wise gardens in arid climates.
- Fast Growth: Weeping sage is recognized for its rapid growth rate, which allows for quick establishment and filling in of garden spaces.
- Wildlife Friendly: The flowers and structure of the plant provide shelter and food for small wildlife, promoting biodiversity.
- Easy Propagation: Weeping sage can be easily propagated from cuttings, making it a cost-effective choice for gardeners looking to expand their plantings.
Medical Properties
- Anti-inflammatory: Buddleja auriculata is traditionally used to reduce inflammation.
- Antimicrobial: The plant contains compounds that have been reported to possess antimicrobial properties.
- Analgesic: It is used in traditional medicine to relieve pain.
- Antipyretic: The leaves are used to reduce fever in some traditional practices.
- Wound healing: There is some traditional use of this plant to promote wound healing.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Buddleja auriculata, commonly known as Weeping Sage, can be used in landscaping as a feature plant due to its weeping habit and ability to attract butterflies and birds.
- The wood of Weeping Sage is sometimes utilized in crafting small items, such as utensils or decorative objects, due to its hardness and fine grain.
- The fragrant flowers of Weeping Sage can be used in the production of natural perfumes or scented sachets for closets and drawers.
- Weeping Sage can be planted as a living fence or hedge along boundaries for privacy and wind protection.
- The plant's dense foliage makes it suitable for creating shelter or a microclimate for underplantings in gardens.
- Weeping Sage is sometimes incorporated into sensory gardens because of its aromatic leaves and flowers, offering an olfactory experience.
- The flowers can be dried and incorporated into potpourri mixtures to maintain a pleasant aroma in the home.
- Weeping Sage can serve as a natural dye for fabrics, providing a range of colors from the leaves and flowers when processed correctly.
- The plant's nectar-rich flowers can be a food source for captive breeding of butterfly species for conservation or educational purposes.
- Weeping Sage can be used in floral arrangements, both fresh and dried, due to its attractive flowers and foliage.

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 auriculata, commonly known as Butterfly Bush, is often associated with renewal due to its ability to attract butterflies, which are symbols of transformation and new beginnings.
- Attraction: Given its capacity to attract a large variety of pollinators, the Butterfly Bush represents magnetism and the ability to draw in positivity and good influences.
- Rebirth: As butterflies undergo metamorphosis, the Butterfly Bush's connection to them also embodies the concept of rebirth and profound change.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Weeping Sage (Buddleja auriculata) should be watered deeply, allowing the soil to become moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, watering once a week with 1 to 2 gallons per plant should suffice, depending on the weather conditions and soil drainage. Reduce watering in the winter to every other week, ensuring that the plant does not sit in overly wet soil which can lead to root rot. Always check the top inch of the soil for dryness before watering again—overwatering can be harmful to the Weeping Sage.
Light
The Weeping Sage prefers full sun to partial shade to thrive. It is best positioned where it can receive at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. An ideal spot would be one that offers morning sunlight and some afternoon shade to protect it from the intense heat of the day, especially in hotter climates.
Temperature
The Weeping Sage can withstand a wide temperature range, but it grows best when the temperature is between 60°F and 80°F. It can tolerate minimum temperatures down to about 20°F, but it may suffer damage if exposed to extreme cold. Therefore, protecting it from frost is important. Maximum temperature tolerance is not as critical, but it may require shade and additional watering during extreme heat over 90°F.
Pruning
Weeping Sage benefits from pruning to maintain its shape, encourage bushier growth, and promote more vigorous flowering. Prune it in late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. Remove any dead or damaged wood, and cut back the previous year's growth by approximately one-third to stimulate new flowering shoots. Deadheading spent flowers during the blooming season can also encourage further blooms.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Weaver's Bush (Buddleja auriculata) thrives best in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, and prefers a soil pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix of two parts garden soil, one part peat or compost, and one part perlite or coarse sand is ideal for maintaining the right balance of moisture retention and drainage.
Repotting
Weaver's Bush should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to prevent it from becoming root-bound and to refresh the soil. Repotting is best done in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing.
Humidity & Misting
Weaver's Bush does not have demanding humidity requirements and can tolerate a wide range of humidity levels. However, it generally thrives in moderate to high humidity environments similar to its native habitat.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Plant Weaver's Bush in a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
- Outdoor
  Plant in sunny to partial shade; protect from strong winds.
- Hardiness zone
  7-10 USDA
Life cycle
Buddleja auriculata, commonly known as Weeping Sage, typically starts its life cycle with seed germination, which requires a well-draining soil medium and warm temperatures. After germination, seedlings grow into juvenile plants, developing a root system and foliage. The plant then reaches the vegetative stage where it matures and produces a robust structure of stems and leaves; this stage is critical for photosynthesis and energy accumulation. Following the vegetative phase, Buddleja auriculata enters the flowering stage, usually signaled by the formation of fragrant flowers that attract various pollinators, aiding in the reproductive process. Following pollination, the plant produces seeds, which are dispersed by wind or wildlife, completing its reproductive cycle. Lastly, it is a perennial species, so after seed production, the plant typically enters a dormant phase in response to cold temperatures or dry seasons, only to rejuvenate and start the cycle anew with the return of favorable conditions.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- The Butterfly Bush (Buddleja auriculata) is most commonly propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. This method typically takes place in late summer or early fall. To propagate by cuttings, select healthy, disease-free stems that are beginning to mature but are not completely woody. Cut a piece of stem about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long, making sure it has several nodes. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone to encourage root development. Plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that a few nodes are buried where roots can form. Water the cutting and place it in a warm, bright area out of direct sunlight, maintaining consistent moisture until roots have established and new growth appears.