Description
Buddleja marrubiifolia | Woolly Butterfly Bush
Woolly (or Wooly) Butterfly Bush is one of the most distinctive and drought-tolerant members of the butterfly bush family, prized for its compact form, silvery foliage, and exceptional performance in hot, dry climates. Native to the deserts and rocky hillsides of northern Mexico and Texas, it forms a dense, rounded shrub typically reaching 3–5 feet tall and wide. Unlike the arching habit of the more common butterfly bush types, B. marrubiifolia develops a naturally tidy, mounded shape with stiff branching that requires little pruning to maintain its attractive appearance. The foliage is one of this species’ greatest ornamental features. Its small, oval leaves are densely covered in fine silvery-white hairs, giving the entire plant a soft, velvety texture and a striking gray appearance that contrasts beautifully with green-leaved plants. The silver foliage not only provides year-round interest but also helps the plant tolerate intense sunlight, heat, and drought.
From late spring into early summer, Buddleja marrubiifolia produces abundant clusters of deep orange to golden-yellow flowers arranged in rounded, pom-pom-like heads. The blooms are pleasantly fragrant with a light honey-like scent. As one of the few orange-flowered butterfly bush species, it brings a unique splash of color to xeriscapes, Mediterranean-style gardens, and pollinator plantings. It also makes an outstanding specimen plant, low hedge, or accent in a water-wise landscape.
The nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to butterflies, native bees, honeybees, and a variety of other beneficial insects. Hummingbirds will also visit the blooms.
This species thrives in full sun and performs best in well-drained soils, including sandy, gravelly, and rocky sites where many other shrubs struggle. Once established, it is exceptionally drought tolerant and generally requires only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods. Heavy clay soils or locations that remain wet during winter should be avoided, as poor drainage can lead to root problems.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: 3-5 ft
Mature width: 3-5 ft
Hardiness zones: 8-11
The plant you will receive will be one of these plants or a similar one.
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