Description
Buddleja saligna (formerly B. corrugata, B. salicifolia, Callicarpa paniculate, Chilianthus arboreus, Chilianthus olraceus | Olive Butterfly Bush
Olive Butterfly Bush, also called Climbing Buddleja, False Olive, Bastard Olive, and Olive Sagewood, is endemic to southern Africa and has the widest distribution of any Buddleja species in South Africa. Saligna means willow-like, referring to the similar appearance of its leathery, evergreen leaves which resemble that of the true olive tree (Olea). In summer it puts out masses of tiny off-white or cream colored flowers that are pleasantly honey-scented and usually occur in profusion on pyramidal-shaped panicles at the end of new wood. Buddleja saligna wood is hard and strong, with a high density, which floats in fresh water. It makes excellent plant stakes, fence poles, or small pieces of furniture. The wood burns with intense heat and can make a great fuel. too.
Olive Butterfly Bush is a large evergreen shrub or tree with a branched, bushy habit that can reach over 30-40 ft tall. However, garden specimens usually remain smaller or can be kept smaller by regular pruning.
Most often found growing on the slopes of mountains, dry hillsides, in forest margins, damp gullies, and among boulders. It can grow in poor soils, near or far to water, and in frost and drought conditions. These all account for its wide distribution. A good garden choice as it can grow in almost any soil with its non-aggressive roots, and can be planted for hedging or as a shade tree in the garden. It can also make a very interesting prospect for a bonsai project.
Plant seeds are easy to germinate and plants are quick growing– up to 4 ft per year. Our seed plants reached 3+ ft in pots the first summer.
Pollinated by moths and other unusual pollinators.
We sourced our B. saligna seeds from overseas after many years of looking, and as far as we are aware, we are one of the only companies in the United States to offer this plant for sale.
*Rooting these specific unrooted cuttings can take 2-3 weeks or more under humidity domes, so do not give up on them too soon.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature height: 30-40 ft
Mature width: 20 ft
Hardiness zones: 10-11
UNROOTED CUTTINGS:
- Price is for three cuttings (3)
- Each cutting is 4-8 inches long. May be single top or multi-top.
- Guaranteed to be green, healthy, and alive. Plus pest and pathogen free.
- Guaranteed to be true-to-name.
- Packages are shipped out on Mondays and Tuesdays ONLY.
- If it’s believed the plants are not alive and healthy when you receive them you must let us know any concerns you have within 24 hours of arrival. If we do not hear any concerns within 24 hours it will be assumed that everything arrived in good standing. We cannot be held responsible for mishaps, errors, mistakes, or bad luck after this time frame.
ROOTING INSTRUCTIONS:
How to prepare cuttings to root via rooting cubes inside a humidity dome.
- Upon arrival, give cuttings a new fresh cut on the bottom of the stem. Then set in a cup of water for a minimum of 15 minutes.
- After soaking, gently cut or scrape small marks into the bottom portion of the plant stem (½ inch) with scissors or a razor blade.
- Dip the scarred end of the stem into rooting gel or rooting powder (gel is superior). This can be done without rooting gel, but results are not as good.
- Insert the plant stem into a rooting cube (Oasis cubes, grow plugs, soil-cubes, rock-wool cubes, etc) and place into a nursery tray with a humidity dome over the top. One cutting per cube. Custom individual humidity domes can be made using plastic cups and/or plastic cling wrap.
- After the first 3-5 days, the humidity dome should be opened up or set ajar to slowly allow more air in as the plants start to root. At this point, the cubes should be allowed to become mostly dry before adding any more water.
- Once 2-3 roots grow out of the bottom of the root-cube, the plant can be transplanted into soil.
- More detailed rooting instructions will accompany your order.
