Description
Buddleja asiatica | Asiatica Butterfly Bush
Asian Butterfly Bush, also known as Dogtail and Winter-Flowering Lilac, is a fast-growing flowering shrub native to eastern Asia and was introduced to Hawaii prior to 1908 where it has become widespread and locally abundant on all the main islands. It’s a versatile plant, occurring in tropical to subtropical areas in disturbed habitats, such as wet pastures, on lava and cinder, wet forests, roadsides and waste areas at altitudes ranging from sea-level to 6000 ft. Like most Buddlejas, the Asian Butterfly Bush is drought tolerant, although it would prefer wet sites since it’s a facultative wetland plant.
The stems are white tomentose with long internodes and soft, velvety, green leaves that often droop. The highly-aromatic, white, slender flower-spires bloom in late winter and early spring when the plant may not have any leaves left. Unlike the more common B. Davidii that blooms on new growth, B. asiatica blooms on year old wood, so if you’re going to prune, prune in late spring after the flowers are done blooming. The branches left will have to make it through winter to bloom next year. In late winter, when the flowers start to bloom it is a welcome sight after months without much beauty. While Buddleja davidii has a pleasant, sweet honey aroma, the Asian Butterfly Bush’s scent is even sweeter and more pronounced. The beautiful freesia-type perfume carries on the breeze, so plant it near walkways, entrances, and gathering areas.
Since its not fully hardy in some temperate regions, it can be grown in a greenhouse, conservatory, or against a warm, south-facing wall where it can be protected. When temps dip below 25 F the plant may start to die back to the roots, but will make a strong come back in the spring. Root-hardy to around 20 F.
We are one of the only online retailers in the United States to offer this species.
Type: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Mature height: 10-15 ft
Mature width: 6-8 ft
Hardiness zones: 9-11
Quart pot. The rooted plant you will receive will be 6-18 inches tall and will be one of these plants, or a similar one.
We ship plants orders out on Mondays and Tuesdays only.
*Please note: We cannot ship Buddelja asiatica to Hawaii at this time. Checkout is disabled for this product in this state.
