Description
Buddleja sessiliflora | Rio Grande Butterfly Bush
The Rio Grande Butterfly Bush, also known as Hierba del Tepozan, is a perennial semi-evergeen shrub native to the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Arizona, Southern Texas, and central and northern Mexico, including the tropical deciduous forests of Sonora, Mexico where they are found abundantly at riparian locations, in moist soils near springs, and along stream beds or where water collects. It was first collected in the US in southern Arizona in 1883.
In the most southern areas, it can grow as a small tree up to 15 ft in height. In the northernmost part of its range – it grows as an herbaceous arching shrub, typically reaching 5 ft tall and wide. Its foliage is fully covered in fine hairs that give the shrub an overall light green silvery hue. Spring through summer, hundreds of marble-sized clusters of small pale-yellow, nearly green flowers bloom at each leaf axil, sparkling beautifully in the sunlight,.The blooms emit an acridly sweet scent like carrion or stale urine, arm pit odor, or an odd mixture of vinegar and chocolate, which changes throughout the day. On large plants, the aroma can smell so strong that it almost makes you dizzy. As bad as that might sound, many folks find it to be quite pleasant as do the pollinators. The strong scent and sweet nectar attracts flies, bees, butterflies, ants, and other more unusual pollinators.
Buddleja sessiliflora easily adapts to residential landscapes or butterfly and nectar gardens, growing best in full sun to part shade in well-draining soil. Plants benefit from a weekly watering schedule during the hot summer months. Hardy to around 18 F.
Seeds germinate with heat, humidity, and light. Do not cover tiny seeds with soil.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature height: 5+ ft
Mature width: 4-5 ft
Hardiness zones: 9-11
