Buddlea davidii

  Buddlea davidii is a shrub native to China and Japan, it is widely used as an ornamental plant and was first thought to have been brought to the West in the late 1800’s. It is a vigorous shrub with an arching habit, growing up to around 5m. It has pale brown bark that becomes rather fissured with age. It has lanceolate leaves that are 7-13cm long. It has hermaphrodite flowers (containing both male and female parts).

  Its flowering time is normally limited to around six weeks unless the removal of spent flowers has taken place, which can encourage further growth. Buddlea are of a high value to many butterfly species due to the nectar their flowers produce. In many countries, including the UK, it has been declared as an invasive species. This is because the plant self-seeds very successfully and can been seen growing ruderally almost anywhere in the UK, it may be seen growing in cracks in the walls of railway viaducts or abandoned plots of land, almost anywhere as its seed can germinate in a tiny amount of soil.