Description
Rostrinucula dependens | False Butterfly Bush
False Butterfly Bush is also commonly known as Weeping Rostrinicula, Tree Mint, Weeping Buddleja, and False Buddleia/Buddleja because of its resemblance to a Butterfly Bush (even though it’s in the mint family). It’s a very rare and unusual mounding shrub native to Yunnan, China. It has an attractive arching habit and is covered by masses of weeping racemes of lavender-pink bottlebrush-type flowers, called nutlets, from late August to mid October. Since it flowers on current seasons growth, we recommend pruning the plant back 6-8″ in late winter.
It does well in full sun to part shade, with the longest racemes and best looking foliage being produced in shade or part sun. Plants are easily grown in moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. In the colder northern parts of its growing range, Rostrinicula dependens is a die-back perennial that dies to the ground in winter and returns in spring.
False Buddleja is an undervalued, fascinating little plant to show off to your gardener friends.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature height: 4-6 ft
Mature width: 4-6 ft
Hardiness zones: 7-10
