Description
Buddleja americana [previously known as Buddleja callicarpoides, Buddleja dentata, Buddleja floribunda, Buddleja occidentalis, Buddleja spicata, Buddleja verbascifolia, Buddleja verbasci | (American) Butterfly Bush
Buddleja americana, which we refer to as American Butterfly Bush, was the original and very first Buddleja in the genus to be described by Linnaeus in 1753. The genus was named in honor of Reverend Adam Buddle. Many variations in spelling have been used: , Buddleja, Budleja, Buddleja, Buddleia, Buddlea, Buddleya, Budlaea, Budlea, and Budleia. Linnaeus adopted BUDDLEJA, so that’s what is cited in the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature as the botanically correct spelling.
American Butterfly Bush is the most widespread of all the Buddleja species, and as the name suggests, it is native to the Americas, with its range extending south from Tamaulipas, Mexico, through Central America and down the Pacific coast of South America, reaching eastward to Venezuela, westward as far as the Galapagos, and south to Bolivia. It is also found in Jamaica and Cuba.
This woody shrub grows in a variety of habitats including oak and pine forests, woodlands, rocky slopes, riparian areas, fields, roadsides, mountain savannas, and cloud forests. It grows well at low and middle altitudes in elevations from sea level to 6500 ft.
Soft, ovate, silver-green leaves and pale yellow flowers that are on the smaller side, being narrow and reaching just 3-10 inches long. Attracts butterflies and pollinators.
Plants are not cold hardy and are quickly killed by the first frost.
Seeds germinate with heat, humidity, and light. Do not cover tiny seeds with soil. Seedlings start out extremely tiny, so the most delicate of care must be taken for the first few weeks.
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Type: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Mature height: 3 ft
Mature width: 2 ft
Hardiness zones: 10-12